Through five-plus weeks of games, the Kansas City Chiefs rank third in the NFL with 17 sacks on the season. But one NFL insider believes they will at least kick the tires on a pass rusher who has just hit the free agent market.
The Denver Broncos released EDGE rusher Frank Clark as they prepare to lean into a retool.
“The #Broncos are officially releasing veteran pass rusher Frank Clark today, per sources,” posted NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on October 13. “Like Randy Gregory, the 30-year-old Clark doesn’t fit Denver’s future plans. But Clark has 58.5 career sacks, two Super Bowl rings … and now has a chance to boost another contender.”
That contender could be the Chiefs, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, who posted, “Expect a reunion with the #Chiefs to be at least discussed,” in a quote of Pelissero.
‘Expect’ Chiefs to Explore Reunion With Frank Clark, Insider Says
Frank Clark Knew His Time Was Up With Chiefs
Clark, 30, spent the last four years of his career with the Chiefs. He racked up 23.5 sacks in that span. Clark also forced six fumbles, recovered three fumbles, deflected seven passes, and even recorded an interception.
He was cut in March after helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl last season.
Trav AND Frank mic'd up for the AFC Championship?
This is gonna be good 🍿 pic.twitter.com/OmrMnEGsgV
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 3, 2023
“The reality is that I had to face that a few months ago when I had the conversation with … [Genereal Manager Brett] Veach,” Clark said on “Undefined with Josina Anderson” on June 9. “There’s always a little bit of hope that you could defend your crown and stuff like that, but I kind of knew …. that it probably wasn’t going to happen just based on our conversation that we had.”
A three-time Pro Bowler, Clark has only appeared in two games this season.
He has logged two tackles in 36 total snaps and has dealt with a hip injury that kept him out of Weeks 2 through 4. He returned to action in Week 5 versus the New York Jets.
But Clark has received no higher than a 48.9 grade in either of his appearances from Pro Football Focus. Any team adding him would be banking heavily on a change of scenery revitalizing him.
Chiefs Were Open to a Reunion
The Chiefs leading sacker is Chris Jones. Jones has 5.5 sacks in five games, putting him on pace to surpass his career-high mark of 15.5 if he keeps it up.
Kansas City also has eight other players with at least a half-sack to their credit, including starting EDGE rushers Mike Danna (3.5) and George Karlaftis (2.5). And defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is willing to send blitzes from unconventional places.
His defense ranks ninth in blitz rate, per Pro Football Reference.
.@Chiefs @StoneColdJones is a dominant force on the ….ok….I will say it….the NFL’s most complete defense. #ChiefsKingdom #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/hEGrwSmChq
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) October 13, 2023
“I didn’t even do no talking, I got all this from the back end in my agent, Erik Burkhard. … He basically just gave me the scoop,” Clark told Anderson. “He said, ‘If it comes around in free agency and if we can make something work out later on, let’s stay in contact and we can work something out.’”
The Chiefs have $3.8 in cap space before making any other moves to accommodate Clark potentially.
A reunion could be in order if the Chiefs feel like their pass rush could use a little more teeth. Clark never recorded more than 8.0 sacks in any season with the Chiefs, though; a mark which he set in his first season in 2019.
Clark had 5.0 sacks last season and notched 2.5 more in the postseason.
Main Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
