The Dallas Cowboys have some difficult decisions on their hands this offseason that'll certainly test Jerry Jones' resolve. Thankfully, we have at least a short-term resolution on the George Pickens front, so Javonte Williams and Jadeveon Clowney are now the biggest ticket free agents in Dallas.
Williams is another one whom the Cowboys are already working to bring back, which leaves Clowney potentially on the outskirts. The former No. 1 overall pick was signed right after the Micah Parsons trade and was surprisingly productive for a historically pathetic Dallas defense in 2025.
However, it's unclear if Jones is seriously considering bringing him back. With the Cowboys already in a major cap hole with new DC Christian Parker coming in, they would be better suited letting the three-time Pro Bowler walk in next month to usher in a new era on the defensive side of the football.
Due to the Micah Parsons trade, Jones and the Cowboys have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, which they are expected use to address the defense and fill the void of Clowney's looming departure. Since it's a strong pass-rushing draft class, they'd be better suited to get younger on defense, too.
Clowney has said he wants to come back, and fans would welcome him with open arms. It’s just not that simple.
The Dallas Cowboys may not have the ability to bring back Jadeveon Clowney in 2026
In his first season in Dallas, the 2014 first-round pick logged 8.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in just 13 games and six official starts. That's pretty impressive for a player who is nearing his 33rd birthday, even if he never developed into the game-wrecker fans expected during his time at South Carolina.
There is merit for keeping him as a mentor to younger defensive linemen like Donovan Ezeiruaku and any pass-rushers Jones and the Cowboys select in the upcoming draft, but knowing Clowney's history, he'll look to cash in and parlay his bounce-back season into what could be his final payday.
Per Spotrac, Clowney's market value is at $5.7 million for a year, but an aging pass-rusher should want more stability than his fourth one-year deal in his last five contracts. The prove-it deals have worked for him, but this is disrespectful for a guy who has proven he can be a consistent contributor time and again.
He wants money that a team that is $31 million in the red can't afford to give him, but given the demand for pass-rushing specialists like Clowney in the modern NFL, it shouldn't take long for him to find work when Jones inevitably says other free agents are more valuable for the Cowboys to keep.