The Kansas City Chiefs have yet to address the defensive end position this offseason, which is concerning given their issues during 2025. Last year, the Chiefs ranked 23rd in the NFL in sacks (35), which is unacceptable for a defense with Chris Jones and George Karlaftis at its disposal.
Karlaftis took a slight step back, posting six sacks in 2025, after having eight in 2024. However, it was good for second on the team behind Chris Jones’s seven. Charles Omenihu, who left Kansas City in free agency to join the Washington Commanders, had 3.5 sacks, which ranked third on the team.
That’s not a recipe for success, and the Chiefs found that out the hard way. Kansas City has watched countless free-agent pass rushers fly off the board over the last few weeks. But they still have several free agents to pursue if they so choose, such as Jadeveon Clowney.Â
Clowney likely isn’t on the fanbase’s radar as they are holding out hope for Cameron Jordan, who is also a free agent and coming off a 10.5-sack season with the New Orleans Saints. However, Clowney is the perfect fit for what the Chiefs need – a pass rusher who can be a nuisance at an affordable price.
Jadeveon Clowney, Chiefs Are Seemingly a Perfect Match for Each OtherÂ
If the regular season started right now, Karlaftis and Ashton Gillotte would be the starters, with Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Ethan Downs, and Tyreke Smith. That’s not good enough. Kansas City could fill the need in the draft as early as the No. 9 overall pick, which is not out of the question.
However, until we get to the first round of the draft, the Chiefs should seriously consider kicking the tires on Clowney. The 33-year-old pass rusher is coming off a solid season with the Dallas Cowboys, who signed him during the first month of the 2025 campaign.
Clowney provided a spark to what was a woeful defense, posting 22 quarterback pressures, 12 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, 8.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in 13 games (six starts). His 8.5 sacks would have ranked first on the Chiefs last season.
In addition to his pass-rushing prowess, Clowney was also solid in stopping the run, recording a 70.6 grade, which was ranked 26th among 115 qualified edges, per Pro Football Focus. Additionally, he also produced 27 stops.
Clowney would be an immediate upgrade over what they got from Omenihu last year (75.0 run defense grade and 58.8 pass rush grade). And what makes it better is that Clowney wouldn’t have to be a better starter to find success.
The Chiefs could roll out Clowney as a backup behind Karlaftis or have him start over Gillotte this upcoming season. If the last two Super Bowl winners have proven anything, it's that teams must have multiple guys who can get after the QB and wreak havoc in the backfield.
Those are two things Clowney can do, and if last season is an indication, he still has a lot left in the tank. Despite his success in Dallas, Clowney’s market has been quiet thus far, which is not a shock given his age.
Spotrac projects the ex-Cowboy’s market value as a one-year, $5.7 million contract. The Chiefs currently have $6.7 million in cap space, per Over The Cap. But the longer Clowney sits on the open market, allowing other players to be signed, the lower his price tag gets. Dallas got him for $3.45 million after the 2025 season had already started. Kansas City should be looking around that range to sign him if they don’t land Cam Jordan.
Signing Clowney wouldn't be a huge needle mover, but it would be a great addition to a Chiefs defense that needs to generate more pressure in 2026.