The Chiefs are at a crossroads with Frank Clark. It is either time to move on or trust that he will improve next year. We discuss the pros and cons.
The Kansas City Chiefs are searching for solutions to the problems that knocked them out of the AFC Championship.
While general manager Brett Veach was quick to say how the team would like to keep star safety Tyrann Mathieu, he was also willing to say that the defense needed work. It is unclear what Veach plans to do in terms of players under contract for the next season. The most notable of these players is linebacker Anthony Hitchens and edge rusher Frank Clark.
It seems likely that the Chiefs will decide to move on from Hitchens this offseason with the opportunity to save over $8 million against the cap and with the recent investment in the linebacker position. Clark, however, leaves a bigger question. Is the money worth it? Is the production still there? Today, we dive into the pros and cons of keeping Frank Clark for the 2022 season (and beyond).
We will begin with the good stuff that Clark would bring next year (the pros). Then, we will discuss the potential downsides or problems that could be brought on if Clark is retained (the cons).
The Pros of keeping Frank Clark for another season:
1. Continuity and Chemistry
The first point of order is to point out the chemistry that has been formed over the past several years of Clark’s career. Clark has been with Kansas City for three seasons and has undoubtedly built relationships and chemistry with players and coaches alike.
Coaches understand Clark’s overall body of work and his strengths and deficiencies. Chris Jones and other defensive linemen have worked on a daily basis with Clark. This is crucial to a defense. For instance, the linebackers know how Clark fills gaps and keeps contained. Other defensive linemen know exactly how he operates on stunts.
This is one of the biggest reasons to hold on to Clark in 2022-2023. So much of what it takes to succeed as a defensive unit is being able to play as a group and know your job/role. Clark undoubtedly knows his role and is well-suited for what Steve Spagnuolo likes at defensive end.
2. Emotional leader and playoff magic
Frank Clark is now a three-time Pro Bowler. While the Pro Bowl is primarily a popularity contest and is less fun to watch than most high school football games, it is viewed as a point of pride in the NFL. When players are mentioned as Hall of Famers, stats are often the first bullet point. Then, Super Bowls are considered. Third and finally, it comes down to season awards and Pro Bowls. In all three years with the Chiefs, he was able to secure enough votes to gain that distinction.
Most fans can recall the iconic moment that Frank Clark stood on the sidelines during the Super Bowl and said, “I smell blood in the water.” Referencing the fact that the Chiefs were moments away from taking over the game. Clark and company came up big when they beat the San Fransisco 49ers in the Super Bowl. That is not the only time that Clark has made a splash in the playoffs.
Clark is now sitting at 5th all-time in playoff sacks with 11. This is more than several players who are in the Hall of Fame. This has also all been done by the age of 28. His playoff magic and ability to make a crucial play can’t be ignored. If Brett Veach and Andy Reid keep him around for another year, this could be a major factor as to why.
3. A lack of comparable or cheaper options on the open market.
The question on everyone’s mind is, “What will the roster look like next year?” Rightfully so. Brett Veach is known to make overcorrections and pour all of his resources into one area. Many are wondering whether the Chiefs are looking at another defensive rebuild this offseason. If Frank Clark is released, then who is there to replace him?
While optimistic fans point to Joshua Kaindoh as a viable replacement, it seems unlikely that the Chiefs would be willing to take such a risk on an unproven player coming off of an injury that sidelined him for much of the season. Then again, who really knows? With that in mind, here are a few of the top-tier free agents that the Chiefs could sign to replace Clark.
- Emmanuel Ogbah, Miami Dolphins
- Jadeveon Clowney, Cleveland Browns
- Justin Houston, Baltimore Ravens
- Charles Harris, Detroit Lions
- Arden Key, San Fransisco 49ers
On this list, a Chiefs fan can immediately spot Ogbah and Houston as former Chiefs. Are any of the players on this list of the same caliber as Clark? Maybe. Are they going to come at a lower cost? Some of them.
One thing to note during free agency is that players at the top of their respective positions get paid more than they may deserve. That is not to say that these contracts never work out, but they are more often than not, huge deals. Ogbah may command a pretty high number because of his high production and the fact that he is still just 28 years old, which is often still considered the “prime” of one’s career.
Clowney has a history of injury but just recorded the second-highest sack total of his career with nine. It should be noted that he spent last season on the same defensive line as Myles Garrett. Who knows what kind of production he could have in Kansas City? It is far from a guarantee that Clowney will be an upgrade over Frank Clark. With the cost that may be associated with Clowney and the lingering injury history, Clark may be the safer option for the next season.
All in all, Clark may be pricey, but he also may be the safest option for next season.
The Cons of keeping Frank Clark for another season:
1. Cap Space
Of course, the biggest downfall of having Clark on the team next year has nothing to do with his ability to play. The biggest problem with Clark’s potential return is his enormous contract.
Currently, Clark is the 4th highest-paid defensive end in the NFL behind Myles Garrett, Leonard Williams, and DeMarcus Lawrence respectfully. There is no sugar-coating it, Clark’s production has simply not been top five at his position.
As much as I loathe boxscore analysis and not looking at players on a case-by-case basis, the statistics and eye test don’t lie. Frank Clark finished 2022 with 11 quarterback pressures, which was 50th in the NFL. This ended up being fewer than Charles Harris, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Jadeveon Clowney, who are all free agents this offseason. Among sack leaders, Clark finished with 4.5 sacks which tied him for 81st in the league. Of course, this does not speak to the overall impact Clark has on defense for the Chiefs.
The stats are not the greatest, but his ability to fill gaps, know his assignment, and play good run defense should not go unnoticed. Clark is undoubtedly good at what he is asked to do. He is not elite, however, as his contract would indicate.
According to Over the Cap, if Clark was released before June 1st, he would save the Chiefs about $12.7 million against the cap. If he is cut post-June 1st, $19.5 million. While fans are quick to point out that he may take a pay cut to stay in Kansas City, they are fooling themselves. It is extremely rare for a player to take a pay cut in the middle of a lucrative contract. The only way out would be to cut ties with Clark. Any other “money saver” is simply not realistic.
2. A chance that production could continue to decline
Clark is 28 and will be 29 when next season starts. While this is not usually an issue with pass rushers, Clark has not been trending in the right direction nor staying all that consistent. In fact, his numbers may show a downhill trend that could be Father Time telling him that his time to retire is approaching.
To contextualize, Clark has never played a full 16-game (or more) season with the Chiefs. To be fair, in 2020, this was because the Chiefs rested their starters in the final week of the season. While injuries are a natural part of playing in the NFL, in two of three seasons, missing games may be a trend. When you consider the types of injuries he has sustained, it does not make you feel any more confident that he will be able to complete a full season in a Chiefs uniform.
Clark has suffered a total of six injuries in his career. In 2019, Clark sustained a cervical neck strain. This can cause long-term discomfort in different regions of the upper body. He also sustained and muscle tear in his elbow when he was playing in Seattle. Finally, Clark has had four injuries to his hamstrings—three sprains and one strain. These have taken place at all different points of his career.
While injuries may not be the only blame for poor performances over the last three seasons, the decline appears to be a trend. This is not to say Clark couldn’t be great; rather, it is to show that he has not been. To show this, we will focus on sacks, tackles for a loss, and solo tackles. Again, box score analysis is not typically a great scale, but it can be used as a tool.
Sacks:
- 2019: 8
- 2020: 6
- 2021: 4.5
Tackles for a loss:
- 2019: 12
- 2020: 8
- 2021: 4
Solo Tackles:
- 2019: 27
- 2020: 21
- 2021: 15
For those who have watched Clark closely, this should come as no surprise. He has not lived up to the expectations that he was brought in for. Although he has had good moments in Kansas City, there has been an undeniable downward trend. If the Chiefs retain Clark, there is a chance that it continues.
3. Off the field stuff
While I don’t want to write about everyone’s business, Clark has had some issues off the field, dating back to his time in Seattle. His issues then were more serious than they are now. Clark was involved in a domestic violence case in 2015. Now, Clark has gotten himself in another kind of trouble.
Clark was arrested twice last offseason for gun charges on separate occasions. He has since pleaded not guilty to these charges. This is not yet fully resolved.
Clark had largely stayed out of the headlines up to that point. While he may never have an issue off the field again, it is important to note that there has been a history there. This has not really affected his ability to play on the field, but it certainly could if it were to continue.