Carolina Panthers release another edge rusher following Jadeveon Clowney cut

A day after cutting loose the team’s co-leader in sacks this past season, the Panthers parted ways with one of their undrafted free-agent signings from 2024.

Aug 24, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Kenny Dyson Jr. (55) on the sideline before a pre-season game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

This past season, the Carolina Panthers’ defense was the worst in the league. From allowing the most total yards and most rushing yards in the NFL in 2024, to surrendering a league-high 35 touchdown passes. Dave Canales’s club gave up a record 534 points, managed only 17 takeaways, and totaled a disappointing 32 sacks.

On Thursday, the team parted ways with 11-year pro Jadeveon Clowney, who tied for the team lead in sacks in 2024 albeit with only 5.5 quarterback traps. The franchise made a move on Friday, albeit for different reasons.

The Panthers waived OLB Kenny Dyson, a transaction related to Jonathon Brooks’ status.
Per a team spokesman, the NFL initially told the Panthers by putting Brooks on the PUP reserve list, he would not count against the 90-man limit. But league had different interpretation Friday.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) May 9, 2025

Outside linebacker Kenny Dyson Jr. joined the team last offseason as a rookie free agent shortly after the 2024 NFL draft. He spent five seasons at Bryant University, and really came into his own in his third year with the Bulldogs. The 6’3”, 235-pound defender finished his collegiate career with 25.5 sacks—all but one of those coming in his final three seasons.

In 2024, Dyson appeared in only two games with the Panthers. He was credited with one defensive stop, and a quarterback hit, as well as a tackle on special teams.

Obviously, there’s a youth movement in Charlotte with the parting of ways with Clowney. This offseason, there’s been the free-agent signing of former Vikings’ linebacker Patrick Jones II, as well as the drafting in late April of Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton and University of Mississippi’s Princely Umanmielen in the second and third round, respectively. Last year, the Panthers added YOUNG edge rusher D.J. Wonnum, also a former member of the Vikings.

The release of Dyson was a bit surprising considering he really didn’t get much of an opportunity to show what he could do. Hence, it wouldn’t be out of the question to see the organization bring back the soon-to-be 24-year-old prospect sometime down the road.

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