Kenny

Clark

With the Cowboys getting blown out by Chicago, it seems unlikely we’ll see Clark again this week. The linchpin to the Micah Parsons trade had one tackle before leaving in the second half.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the extension “includes $120 million fully guaranteed at signing and makes Parsons the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.” The Packers now field a formidable EDGE rush, with Parsons bookended by DL Rashan Gary. Clark, meanwhile, will line up next to DT Osa Odighizuwa, providing the Cowboys a solid, if unexciting, defensive tackle unit. The development undeniably downgrades the Cowboys’ ability to rush the passer, though, which puts the onus on the offense to keep the team in games. The Cowboys’ passing offense just became even more fantasy-friendly.

Clark played in all regular season games and the Packers’ playoff loss, but was dealing with a toe injury he sustained in Week 1. The Packers played the Eagles in Brazil to open the season and Clark injured his right toe on the turf. The 29-year-old had just one sack last season after signing a three-year, $64 million extension. Clark is at Packers OTAs and is doing individual drills while he recovers from offseason foot surgery.

It’s not the extension Packers fans were hoping for prior to camp, but it’s a key one nonetheless. Clark is fresh off a season in which he totaled a career-high 7.5 sacks and nine TFLs on his way to his third Pro Bowl. The veteran tackle has spent his entire eight-year career with the Packers and earned a PFF grade of 68.8, which ranked 33rd amongst all defensive linemen (min. 300 snaps). If the best ability is availability, then Clark is elite. He’s missed just eight regular season games in his career and just one game in the last three seasons. He will earn $29 million this season and is now under contract through 2027.

The move is purely procedural and is used as a means to create cap space for the strapped Packers. Clark’s restructure created over $10.8 million in cap room for Green Bay. It’s the first in a series of moves for GM Brian Gutekunst. Clark is signed through 2024 and was Pro Football Focus’ No. 13 overall interior defensive lineman last season.

It is unclear if Clark is COVID positive or merely a close contact, but either way, he is unlikely to have enough time to get cleared for Sunday’s game against the Ravens. Clark remains the Packers’ top run defender, but the Ravens’ rushing attack isn’t as potent this season, and that will be especially true for Sunday if Lamar Jackson (ankle) sits. Although hardly ideal, Clark’s absence will be survivable for one week.

Clark registered one tackle and a forced fumble against the Vikings before exiting with a groin strain. Dean Lowry, who replaced Clark after the intermission, remains a stronger pass rusher than interior run-stuffer, putting Adrian Peterson and rookie D’Andre Swift into a much better matchup than initially perceived. Clark was signed to a four-year, $70 million extension in August.

Clark exited right before halftime and walked gingerly to the locker room. He’s fresh off inking a four-year, $70 million extension last month. His loss should open a little more running room for Dalvin Cook.

The deal includes a $25 million signing bonus and makes him the league’s highest paid nose tackle. Clark was playing on a fifth-year option and set to become a free agent after this season. The Packers are locking him up after he posted six sacks and a career-high 89 tackles as a first-time Pro Bowler. Clark missed some time with injuries in 2018 but he’s a game-wrecker when on the field. Clark’s extension keeps him in Green Bay through 2024.

“I think it’s one of those situations where, I think they’re going to want me here for a long time,” Clark said. “I think they want me to be here and they’re going to try to do everything they can to keep me here.” Fresh off career-highs in sacks (6) and tackles (89) as a Pro Bowl alternate with Green Bay, Clark is due $7.69 million in the final year of his contract. He added that no “serious talks” have taken place just yet, but one would imagine a long-term deal gets done after the 24-year-old finished as PFF’s No. 13 interior defender among 197 qualifiers last year.