Jerry Jones was simply being asked about the pass rush following Sunday's Dallas Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium. And in a very signature Jones way, the Cowboys owner and general manager offered up, "Well, we just signed another pass rusher."

That player is veteran defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the three-time Pro Bowler and first pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.

The agreement was in place before the Cowboys' dramatic 40-37 overtime win over the New York Giants. It was officially signed Monday.

"He kind of knew already," Clowney said of Jones' announcement, "and I think he just put it out there after the game. And it's like, 'All right, I'm going to Dallas.'"

Clowney, 32, is coming off a season of 5.5 sacks, 46 tackles and 11 quarterback hits last year with the Carolina Panthers. He started all 14 games he played in, averaging 46.5 defensive snaps per game. The Cowboys aren't looking for that much work from him. They signed him to a one-year deal worth around $4 million to have him help a group of edge rushers who have struggled to get pressure with Micah Parsons now in Green Bay.

"You want multiple guys that can come in there and roll," Clowney said. "That's when you become a better front. That's what the great fronts have, multiple guys rolling, eight guys rolling. I feel like that's when good D-lines (become) great."

Does he look at this opportunity like he's replacing Parsons?

"No, Micah Parsons is Micah Parsons," he responded. "I'm Jadeveon Clowney. I'm coming in to do me, just do my thing, help in any way I can and play football."

Clowney said he was interested in Dallas even before they traded Parsons. He felt like they could've played well together. While his best years are likely behind him, Clowney is only a year removed from a 9.5-sack, 19 QB-hit season with the Baltimore Ravens. He averaged 38.5 defensive snaps per game that season. Dallas would have to be thrilled to get similar production.

Clowney said he expects to play Sunday at Chicago. That would be a quick turnaround for a player who hasn't gone through training camp and only a few days of practice. He said he has "a lot" left in the tank and has been staying ready by training at Fairchild Sports Performance in Houston, his offseason training home the previous eight years.

"Since I transferred over there, my injuries stopped," he said. "A lot of stuff happened with me in my first two years in the league, probably like five to six injuries my first two years. A lot of that cut back late in my career because I found the right guys to put around me, to help me with my body and take care of my health. That's the biggest thing for me, keep the injuries down so I can keep playing at a high level."

Clowney said he watched every snap of Dallas' Sunday win. He was impressed with how the team was "flying around" and "competing hard." When the team released its unofficial depth chart Tuesday, Clowney was listed behind starting defensive end Dante Fowler and ahead of rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku. The opposite defensive end spot had Sam Williams starting with Marshawn Kneeland and James Houston behind him.

The Cowboys desperately need that group, coupled with defensive tackles Osa Odighizuwa, Kenny Clark and Solomon Thomas to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The group only has four sacks in two games and opposing QBs are averaging a 114.2 passer rating against, third-worst in the NFL.

"I like the secondary," Clowney said. "I like that they got Kenny Clark for the inside. They just needed some edge rushers and I feel like I can go out here and help this defense."

The back end has been a bigger issue, struggling with communication in new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' zone-heavy scheme.

Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs, who struggled Sunday, said after the game that it would be a "blessing" to add a player like Clowney.

"You need a pass rush, especially when you play a lot of zone coverages, you need the pressure to get back there," Diggs said. "The more pressure, the more guys we can get after the quarterback, the better defensively."

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Monday on 105.3 The Fan that they believe Clowney can "give us 20 plays a game to disrupt and rush the passer."

"We're in the business of adding good football players," Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday. "(Clowney's) a damn good football player. ... He's not here just to be a pass rusher. He's here to play defense and to affect the game and to stop the run and to affect the quarterback by moving him off the spot. He knows how to play football."

Clowney visited the Cowboys' headquarters, The Star, last Wednesday. He didn't need much convincing to join after taking that visit.

"I've been on seven teams and this place is a lot different than any place I've been," Clowney said. "They got a lot for these guys. They're a little spoiled. Jerry Jones spoils his teams. You gotta play well when you're spoiled like this. You want to be in a place like this for a while. Play good so you can stay around."

He was confident Monday that it will not take long to get up to speed. The Cowboys are his sixth team in the last seven seasons. They're probably not getting the player who made the Pro Bowl from 2016 through 2018. But they're also not expecting that type of production. They need him to add established depth to what has become a major area of need. Sacks would be ideal, but they'll take some pressures and solid run defense, too.

"This isn't my first time jumping in," Clowney said. "I think I did it a few times throughout my career going in Week 1 and just playing football. So, this ain't nothing new for me. Just knocking off the dust. ... I walked into Tennessee Week 1 and played like 40 snaps the first game, and we played at Mile High Denver, so it's nothing new to me. It's football. It's just go out there, be physical and play your game. You get tired, that's why there our other guys on your team."

Jadeveon Clowney isn't replacing Micah Parsons, but feels he gives Cowboys' D a lift