Cowboys $3.5M defender makes strong Wk 18 case for free agency payday

If the Dallas Cowboys want to have any hope of retaining star wide receiver George Pickens this offseason, they’ll have to find a way to cut costs. Veterans will have to give way to less expensive rookies, known commodities must be replaced with wildcards, and depth will be depleted in order to balance those high-ticket salaries at the top of the roster.

Yet, one veteran player who was originally billed as an extra rotational piece has become an absolute necessity on the Cowboys defense. He’s a player who wasn’t added to the team until the middle of September and he’s a player who’s only on the books for $3,500,000 this season. Former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney is that player and after a standout season in Dallas in 2025, he’s someone who’s earned a bigger and better deal in 2026.

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After a standout performance in Week 18 against the New York Giants, Clowney made his case for a new deal in this offseason of austerity. Clowney was a menace in the Meadowlands (trademark pending), posting three sacks, four tackles for loss, one pass deflection, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and five solo tackles. Oh yeah, he led the team in all five of those categories too.

Set to hit free agency in March, the 32-year-old Clowney isn’t going to break the bank. Playing on the backend of his career, he won’t demand top dollar nor an absurdly long commitment. But after posting 8.5 sacks in 13 games, he will demand a pay raise and likely a starting role which are two things the Cowboys should have no problem offering.

Moving the $6 million Dallas is paying Dante Fowler into Clowney’s next deal makes the accounting easier. Clowney has shown he has plenty left in the tank and he’s more than a rotational option. With 45 snaps logged in Week 18, he's even shown he can be a workhorse starter.

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The first step quickness and athleticism may be fading but size, strength, technique and effort are as impressive as they’ve ever been. Even if Clowney stretches the budget at defensive end this offseason and even if he’s the only veteran edge player the Cowboys can afford, he’s worth the price of retention. Clowney fills that well-rounded base end role that DeMarcus Lawrence left behind this year. He’s a leader worth keeping around and an example to follow so he's worth being a top priority retention this winter.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys $3.5M defender makes strong Wk 18 case for free agency payday