The Carolina Panthers have announced they are releasing defensive end Jadeveon Clowney after just one season.

Clowney, 32, only signed a two-year contract worth $20million last summer. He played 14 times in what was a tough season for the Panthers.

Head coach Dave Canales has already taken steps to replace Clowney, signing free agent Patrick Jones II and drafting Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen.

In another roster move, the Panthers have placed running back Jonathon Brooks on the PUP list after he tore his ACL again last season. 

His release marks another twist in Clowney’s NFL career after he was taken with the No. 1 overall pick by the Houston Texans in the 2014 NFL draft. 

He spent his first five years in the NFL with the Texans but has also spent time at Seattle, Tennessee and Cleveland. 

The Carolina Panthers are releasing defensive end Jadeveon Clowney after just one season

The three-time Pro Bowler impressed with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2023 season, recording 9.5 sacks. 

That included sacking Patrick Mahomes in that year’s AFC Championship game, which the Kansas City Chiefs won on their way to winning the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.

Clowney left the Browns under a cloud of controversy in 2022 after criticizing the organization, claiming it favored Myles Garrett and was more focused on getting him to the Hall of Fame than winning.

The Browns disciplined Clowney for his statements, sending him home before a practice and then leaving him at home for the final game of that season.

‘As a son and parent I want to fully apologize to anyone I offended, specifically Myles Garrett and his family,’ Clowney later said.

‘As a man I have reached out to Myles specifically to apologize. I will continue to learn and grow as a I move forward.’