The Detroit Lions are looking to bounce back in 2026 after missing out on the postseason last year. They have the same core of players returning, in addition to the other players they brought in via free agency and the NFL Draft.
Despite that, they could still use another player in the defensive line room.
With training camp just weeks away, they should look at bringing in free-agent edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.
Lions shouldn't let training camp begin without adding Jadeveon Clowney
This offseason, the Lions let Al-Quadin Muhammad walk after he posted 11 sacks in 2025. Regardless of his production, they wanted to go in a different direction, which included selecting Derrick Moore with the 44th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
They are excited about what Moore can bring to the table, but adding Clowney to the mix would be huge for the depth and impact of that unit. He has been in the NFL for 12 years, spending time with the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, and most recently the Dallas Cowboys.
He has been able to be a reliable run defender with the ability to get into the backfield to generate some pressure. In 153 career games, Clowney has logged 450 total tackles, 120 TFLs, 16 forced fumbles, and 66.5 sacks.
Just last season with the Cowboys at age 32, he appeared in 13 games (six starts), finishing with 41 total tackles, 12 TFLs, 10 QB hits, four pass deflections, and 8.5 sacks. In addition, Clowney had 40 total pressures and 29 hurries. And he did this while playing in 44 percent of the snaps.
On Pro Football Focus, Clowney had a 79.2 overall grade (18th among 115 graded edge rushers), an 80.6 pass rush grade (15th), and a 70.6 run defense grade (26th).
The Lions already have their star edge rusher in Aidan Hutchinson, but they desperately need to get another force who can take away some pressure from him. Even though Clowney will be 33 years old during the 2026 season, he can still be an impactful rotation piece.
Last season, he was able to get after the quarterback even though the Cowboys don't have an edge rusher of Hutchinson's caliber. That should make the idea of Clowney coming over that more intriguing. According to Over The Cap, the Lions currently have a little over $14 million in cap space, giving them more than enough to add Clowney.
Spotrac projects Clowney's market value at $5.7 million, and that is likely for a one-year deal. This is the kind of addition Detroit should heavily consider and make happen before training camp begins.
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