Assessing a Potential Frank Clark Reunion With the KC Chiefs
When the Kansas City Chiefs and defensive end Frank Clark failed to reach an agreement on a restructured contract back in the spring, the writing was on the wall as far as his future with the organization was concerned. A few months later, the veteran pass rusher signed with a new team — the Denver Broncos — but remained in the AFC West. On the very day of his previously anticipated return to Kansas City to play, though, things are taking a different turn.
After the Broncos listed Clark as out for Week 6's Thursday Night Football matchup against the Chiefs due to an illness, the situation is gaining some clarity. Field Yates of ESPN reports that Clark's "days as a Bronco are coming to an end," with Mike Garafolo of NFL Network adding that the 30-year-old took a pay cut that sees his remaining 2023 base salary drop to just $841k. A trade or release appears to be on the way.
With the news that Denver is heading towards parting ways with Clark, many in Chiefs circles are wondering whether Kansas City should look to reunite with the three-time Pro Bowler.
The answer? It's complicated.
On one hand, Clark is an extremely affordable asset. While general manager Brett Veach and company don't have a ton of funding to work with, the NFLPA public salary cap report lists them as boasting just under $3.7M in available space. That's enough to welcome Clark back into the fold either a trade scenario or an outright signing. From a financial standpoint, it's absolutely possible despite the ramifications of further limiting what's already a slim amount of cap space for any looming trades or acquisitions for the rest of the season.
There's also the question of exactly what Clark would even be able to offer the Chiefs in the event of a reunion. He played just 36 defensive snaps for the Broncos in two games this season, recording a pair of tackles and no other major statistics. It's unclear what he brings to the table in October of 2023, although a look back to last season could be a hint at his capabilities barring some regression.
In 15 regular-season games in the 2022-23 campaign with the Chiefs, Clark totaled 39 tackles, five sacks and a forced fumble. He managed to log 45 pressures (per Pro Football Focus) in 469 pass-rushing snaps, good for a pressure rate of 9.6%. Among Kansas City defensive ends with legitimate consideration for snaps this year, George Karlaftis leads the room with a 14% pressure rate and is followed by Mike Danna (8.3%) and rookie Felix Anudike-Uzomah (8.2%). Entering Thursday's game, Steve Spagnuolo's defense ranks 13th in the league in total pressures with 95 and is in the middle of the pack in sacks with 13. Could Clark potentially help as a complementary piece? There's an argument to be made.
That's the thing, though: Clark's situation is mostly potential. For someone with his injury history and being on the wrong side of the aging curve, that's a bad development. When Clark was in Kansas City, the team didn't always know whether he'd be available to practice or play. When on the field, his level of play fluctuated. With another offseason under his belt and a poor two-game sample size as a Bronco on the ledger, could the Chiefs rely on him to contribute in a meaningful way? Probably not.
Therein lies the most logical answer. If the Chiefs get Charles Omenihu back after Week 6 and feel that they still need to add to their depth along the defensive line, looking into a Clark reunion wouldn't hurt. It would, however, possibly eat into the chances of Anudike-Uzomah and fellow rookie BJ Thompson getting reps. Is the upside of some proven veteran leadership and playoff production worth the trade-off of some cap space, in-game development of younger players and the nonstop uncertainty surrounding Clark's readiness to play? That'll be up for the team to decide, and that's if they're even interested.
It's become abundantly clear recently that Chris Jones wants Clark back in a Kansas City uniform. It does, even with the downsides of investment, make at least some sense. Whether the franchise echoes that same sentiment remains to be seen.
