Panthers sternly warned to avoid trade involving 3-time Pro Bowler

The Carolina Panthers are being advised to avoid making a trade involving this star player

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Carolina Panthers President of Football Operations/General Manager Dan Morgan talks to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Carolina Panthers have certainly made a lot of moves to improve their defense this offseason, but they do have one defensive player who is a rather constant subject of trade speculation: edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

The Panthers ranked toward the bottom of the NFL with just 32 sacks last season, but after spending a couple of high NFL draft picks on pass rushers late last month, Clowney is becoming viewed as an expendable piece on the roster.

However, Dean Jones of Cat Crave has fired a stern warning to Carolina over potentially trading Clowney, noting that rookies Nic Scourton and Prince Umanmielen are entirely unproven and that the three-time Pro Bowler could serve as a mentor for the youngsters.

"Of course, everyone has a price. If the Panthers receive what they believe to be an acceptable offer for Clowney, there's no doubt [Dan] Morgan will consider the possibility," Jones wrote. "But looking at the experience, how well he performed in difficult circumstances last season, and his potential influence on Scourton and Umanmielen during their rookie transitions, keeping him around would be wise."

Clowney has just one year remaining on his contract, and Jones understands that, but he doesn't feel the lack of future certainty surrounding the 32-year-old should justify a trade.

"What comes after that is less certain, especially if Scourton and Umanmielen impose themselves immediately. For now, the positives to keeping him around far outweigh the negatives," he wrote.

Clowney posted 46 tackles and 5.5 sacks during his debut campaign in Carolina last year. The former No. 1 overall pick has never logged a double-digit sack season since entering the NFL in 2014, but he has remained a consistent force in the pass rush and clearly has some gas left in the tank.

Dec 1, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (7) during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

- Enjoy more free Panthers coverage with Carolina Panthers on SI - 

What Steve Smith got right - and wrong - about the Panthers WR corps

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young slapped with harsh reality check

Panthers still considered among NFC’s worst teams despite strong draft

Super Bowl champ predicts Bryce Young will have a big year in 2025