Frank Clark is a bad, bad man on the football field. Nearing the end of his rookie contract, 2018 has been his biggest year yet in the NFL. Clark has become one of the most prominent players on the Seattle Seahawks defense and should be the first player that the Seahawks bring in this off-season to put pen to paper.
Frank Clark Is a Priority Re-Signing for the Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks didn’t have a first-round draft pick in 2015 but basically ended with a first-round talent after snagging Clark with the 63rd overall pick. By this point, most have forgotten that this was a controversial draft selection since Clark was kicked off the Michigan Wolverines football team after being arrested for domestic violence. But Pete Carroll and John Schneider saw a bright side to this young man after he worked hard to better himself on-and-off the field and it was worth it.
Making His Mark
Clark made a good impression his rookie season finishing with 16 combined tackles and three sacks. He followed with 47 combined tackles, 10 sacks, and 18 quarterback hits in his sophomore campaign after only starting a third of the games he played in.
2017 was also a great year for Clark but 2018 has stood out by far. This is his first season of not living in Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett‘s shadow. And he’s made it a good one for sure. Through 13 games, Clark is performing at his career-best, even though it is only his fourth season in the league. He’s had 31 combined tackles, 11 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles. Clark recorded two sacks against Derek Carr and the Oakland Raiders in Week Six and again in Week 11 versus Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
Pro Football Focus currently gives Clark a 73.6 grade on defense, which is above average, but that doesn’t show just how dominant Clark can be. Most expected the major departures on the Seahawks defense, including Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, to severely damage their ability in 2018, but players like Clark, Bradley McDougald, Tre Flowers, Shaquill Griffin, All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, and others have proved otherwise.
A Proven Winner and a Vocal Leader
Clark has played a big part in ensuring the Seahawks don’t obtain a top five draft pick in the 2019 NFL draft, a popular belief among many at the beginning of the season. What many expected to be a 5-11 record for the Seahawks has blossomed into an 8-5 record. In games the Seahawks have won, Clark’s stats are doubled than what they are in losses. With Pro Bowl votes nearing an end, it would be surprising to see Clark not have earned a spot to play in Orlando come January (depending on the outcome of the post-season).
Clarks has proven himself to be a team leader and his contributions to Seattle’s defense have made a monumental impact on the team. He’s been vocal on and off the field and his recent comments in response to Richard Sherman exhibit his passion as a player. Taking the quote from ESPN, Clark said, “This is my team now. This is my defense. Richard Sherman, his era is over here.”
Last Word
It would be a dumb move for the Seahawks not to extend Clark’s contract. Considering the way he has been playing this year, let alone his sophomore season, it would be hard not to see Clark in a Seahawks in the coming years. Clark needs to be the very first at the end of the 2018 season to ink his deal with the team.
