What He Did in 2025
What he did was, well, find the aforementioned groove, and in a big way. Before the season was all said-and-done, Clowney was the best pass rusher in the building, and not simply because others struggled mightily to consistently get to the opposing quarterback. Clowney had a very good season by any contextual measurement, and in multiple categories.
The 32-year-old notched a team-high in sacks (8.5), also this second-highest tally in the past four seasons, along with four pass break ups, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and 41 combined tackles that include 10 quarterback hits; and he did it all with only six (!!) starts in 13 games. Imagine if he’d been unleashed sooner by now-fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
Why He Could Stay
To put it plainly, re-read the previous sentence. Clowney continuously made it clear he’d be interested in re-signing with the Cowboys due to the brotherhood in the locker room, one he says is unlike any he’s been a part of, and also that he’d prefer to sign early in the offseason to avoid missing the team’s offseason conditioning program and training camp — all of this despite the franchise-worst defensive production under Eberflus.
With the arrival of Christian Parker and heralded, talented and fast-rising defensive minds in tow, it would make sense that Clowney potentially feels that much more excited about the possible turnaround in the works in Dallas on that side of the ball. And if things come together for the defense, finally, it could combine with a prolific offense to give Clowney one of the best chances he’s ever had at landing a ring.