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Lions Fans Have Mixed Reaction to Jadeveon Clowney Being Released

Should Lions sign veteran outside linebacker?
John Maakaron|
Carolina Panthers linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (7) reacts after a sack in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium
Carolina Panthers linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (7) reacts after a sack in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions fans had a mixed reaction to the decision the Carolina Panthers made to release veteran outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney.

The 32-year-old veteran recorded 5.5 sacks last season (team high) in his final season with Carolina.

Heading into the 2025 season, Detroit is continuing to seek out players who can consistently disrupt the quarterback. General manager Brad Holmes re-signed Marcus Davenport and drafted Ahmed Hassanein.

Some supporters were in favor of Detroit making the call to sign the talented defender, while others continue to clamor for Za'Darius Smith to return to Motown.

One supporter posted on social media, "Not sure what kind of money or length of contract he'll be looking for, but if he can be had for one or two years at 7 figures, that could make a lot of sense."

Another expressed that Clowney would not be the right "culture fit" in Dan Campbell's locker room.

NFL columnist Jeffri Chadiha recently listed Smith as a "perfect fit" for the Lions in his latest best NFL team fits for notable remaining free agents.

"Detroit traded for Smith last season after a broken leg ended the season of star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Now the Lions can bring Smith back to Detroit to help create the pressure this team has sorely needed. The upside on Smith is that he played solidly last season in an emergency role," Chadiha wrote. "He generated 40 pressures in his nine games with the Lions and his pass rush win rate of 21.5 percent was third on the team (after Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport, who also was lost to an injury), per Pro Football Focus."

Here is a sample of the reaction to Clowney being released.

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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!

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