It's borderline impossible to predict a Dallas Cowboys offseason, but it felt inevitable even before the 2025 season was over that Jadeveon Clowney would be back for another year.
However, the Cowboys' tune changed once they hired Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator. Talks of a reunion came to a screeching halt, and Clowney has since returned to the Houston Texans by way of a one-year contract, $5.5 million contract.
Jane Slater of NFL Network caught up with Clowney at Texans training camp and asked him point-blank if he and the Cowboys ever discussed a reunion.
"I was shocked myself. I reached out a few times, like 'Hey, what are ya'll thinking?' I think they wanted to go through training camp, and that isn't my mindset right now. I deserved to be signed right after the season was over, I felt like.
And when they didn't sign me, I was like, 'I'm not gonna go far off to play. I'm not going to a team that can't win. ... Why not do it here (Houston) where I started at?"
Jadeveon Clowney reached out to the Cowboys during free agency
It sure sounds like Clowney wanted to run it back with Dallas. The fact that he reached out and the Cowboys still turned him down is pretty eye-opening. If the edge room struggles to generate pressure, the decision will come under an even bigger microscope.
There are legitimate questions about Clowney's fit in Christian Parker's scheme, particularly when it comes to dropping into coverage. The Cowboys reportedly gave Parker significant input in personnel decisions this offseason. If the first-time defensive coordinator didn't view Clowney as a must-have addition, fans will have to trust his evaluation.
That's going to be easier said than done, though. Before the Quinnen Williams trade, Clowney was arguably Dallas' most reliable defender. He led the team with 8.5 sacks despite appearing in just 13 games (he was signed after the Week 4 tie against the Packers), and his ability to set the edge made him almost as valuable against the run as he was rushing the passer.
The Cowboys are hopeful that Rashan Gary can replicate Clowney's production, but there's a reason they haven't lost interest in Maxx Crosby: They know they need another pass rusher.
If they end up trading for Crosby, Josh Sweat, or Alex Highsmith, it's hard to criticize them for passing on Clowney.
The Texans didn't need Jadeveon Clowney, but found room for him anyway
As currently constituted, though, there isn't enough firepower. Dallas is banking on a second-year leap from Donovan Ezeiruaku and for first-rounder Malachi Lawrence to make an immediate impact, which isn't always a given with first-year pass rushers.
Just look at the Texans.
Will Anderson Jr. is arguably the second-best EDGE in football behind Myles Garrett, and Danielle Hunter, who's racked up 43.5 sacks and 67 quarterback hits over the last three seasons, would be the No. 1 pass rusher on plenty of teams. Houston boasts stars at every level of its defense, yet it still found room for Clowney.
Of course, this entire conversation changes if the Cowboys trade for a known quantity. Until then, though, their decision to pass on Clowney is only going to invite more scrutiny now that we know that Clowney reached out to Dallas.
Add us as a preferred source on Google