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Key Takeaways:
- The Dallas Cowboys are entering the offseason with a focus on improving their defense
- Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is a key player the team may prioritize to retain
- Clowney’s contract value, performance, and leadership make him a valuable asset to the team
- The Cowboys have the opportunity to add impact defenders via the draft, trades, and free agency
- The team’s front office, including Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones, have expressed interest in re-signing Clowney
Introduction to the Offseason
The Dallas Cowboys are now done with their regular season, and it’s time for the Joneses to face off against agents as they prepare for the offseason. A major issue for the team will be identifying the few defensive bright spots and ensuring they remain in place. One player the Cowboys could be prioritizing to continue wearing the star is defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. As Stephen Jones recently said on 105.3 The Fan, "We’ll be talking with his guys right away. With his willingness to want to be here and us wanting him to be here, hopefully we can figure something out."
Clowney’s Impact on the Team
Clowney was a late addition to the team this season, signing a one-year, $3.5 million deal in September. Despite being 32 years old and entering his 12th NFL season, he quickly silenced doubts about his ability to make a meaningful impact. Within five games of arriving in Dallas, Clowney tallied 13 tackles and one sack, earning a starting role the following week against the Arizona Cardinals. As the season progressed, he became a key piece of a struggling defense, emerging as one of the few genuine positives. In just 12 games with Dallas, the veteran had 35 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. As the article notes, "He quickly became a key piece of a struggling defense that spent much of the season near the bottom of the league."
Offseason Plans
Looking ahead, the Cowboys’ offseason plans should place far less emphasis on the offensive side of the ball and far more on fixing the defense. With additional draft capital acquired through recent trades, the front office has the opportunity to add impact defenders via the draft, trades, and free agency. Clowney, with 8.5 sacks in 13 games, should be among the few players on the Cowboys defense whom Jerry Jones makes a concerted effort to bring back. As the article states, "Clowney – with 8.5 sacks in 13 games – should be among the few players on the Cowboys defense whom Jerry Jones makes a concerted effort to bring back."
Why Clowney is Worth Retaining
There are three areas where it makes sense to bring Clowney back: value, performance, and leadership. In terms of value, Clowney’s contract is highly favorable given his age and experience in the league. His production at a modest cost makes him well worth retaining. As the article notes, "A small financial commitment over a short period carries little downside, especially for a defense in need of reliable contributors." In terms of performance, Clowney still plays at a level that allows him to produce in today’s league, making him an asset rather than a liability. Finally, his leadership is invaluable, providing a veteran presence in the locker room and a mentor for young defensive draft picks.
Prioritizing Improvements
While Clowney should be considered for an extension, the Cowboys should not make him a "priority" without also making major improvements to their defense. As the article states, "The Cowboys should be considering an extension, sure. But there have to be major improvements to this defense, and they have to come from outside the building." The team should be looking to add impact defenders via the draft, trades, and free agency, with Clowney as a supplemental move to those improvements. As Stephen Jones said, "With his willingness to want to be here and us wanting him to be here, hopefully we can figure something out."
https://roundtable.io/cowboys/players/should-cowboys-sign-jadeveon-clowney-as-a-priority