NFL free agency is about to add another top-tier talent, as the Kansas City Chiefs are expected to release defensive end Frank Clark in the coming days after failing to reach a restructured deal.
The Chiefs and Clark’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, had been trying to work out a new deal, according to ESPN, but ultimately they couldn’t meet in the middle.
Clark was set to enter the final year of his two-year, $30 million deal he signed, but now the Chiefs are ready to free up $21 million in salary cap space to use in free agency.
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Frank Clark #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after a sack against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)
The 29-year-old Clark will hit free agency after helping the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII winning streak, and one team will get someone who performs well in the playoffs.
Clark ranks third in league history in total postseason sacks at 13.5, most of which came with the Chiefs. He started 2020 when he had five during his first Super Bowl run, where they defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 31-20.
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He also had three in 2021, though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would beat the Chiefs at their home stadium thanks to Tom Brady magic. Then Clark posted 2.5 sacks last season, one against the Jacksonville Jaguars and 1.5 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Clark totaled 39 tackles, eight for loss, with 13 quarterback hits and five regular-season sacks in 15 games for the Chiefs this season.
It was a tough year for Clark despite the Chiefs’ success. He was suspended two games in October after pleading no contest to weapons charges in September. He was arrested in March 2021 when police found two weapons in his car after he was pulled over while he was riding in a vehicle with another man without license plates. Three months later, he was arrested again on another weapons charge.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, left, is waved off by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark for safety during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, California on Sunday, October 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Clark was ultimately sentenced to one year of probation and 40 hours of community service in September.
After winning the Super Bowl, Clark sobbed with joy, knowing he had to fight against adversity to get confetti thrown at his head in Glendale, Arizona, last month.
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«I’m excited, man. Overjoyed,» he told Fox’s Peter Schrager. «I had a tough year, man, it was tough. My teammates, they never lost faith in me. Just thankful. I’m extremely humble and thankful I have some of the best teammates in the world.»
«To be able to come out here, a lot of adversity in the first half. To come out in the second half and correct our mistakes and now we are champions.»
Frank Clark #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs against the Philadelphia Eagles after Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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Many teams looking to improve their defensive front will look to add Clark’s talents once the new league year kicks off on March 15.