Frank Clark’s journey through 2023 NFL free agency has finally come to an end and the three-time Pro Bowler is taking his talents to a rival of his former team the Kansas City Chiefs.
In March, two-time Super Bowl winner Frank Clark saw his impressive tenure with the Chiefs come to a surprising end when he was one of the first big-name cap casualties this offseason. Yet despite being one of the more reliable pass rushers in the NFL over the last eight seasons, he remained on the free agent market for three months.
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However, that journey in NFL free agency came to an official end on Thursday when The Score NFL insider Joran Schultz reported that Frank Clark had agreed to a team-friendly one-year deal with Denver Broncos. In a follow-up tweet to the original report, Schultz revealed that Clark’s contract could reach as high as $7.5 million this season.
Why Denver Broncos have gotten a steal in Frank Clark
The Denver Broncos had one of the better defenses in the NFL last season. It was the one thing that kept them in games while their offense struggled all year. However, if there was an area on D they could use some improvement at, it was in their pass rush. They answered that need in a major way with Frank Clark.
While Clark’s numbers in recent seasons may not jump off the page, he has long been an elite-level pass rusher for much of his career, and hit peaks of 10 and 13 sacks in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Yet, even when he is not racking up sacks he has often been a top player when it comes to QB hits. This means that Clark is a rare every-down-rushing threat for quarterbacks around the league.
However, what has placed him among the truly special pass rushers in the NFL is his ability to elevate his game in the playoffs against top-shelf competition. In just eight seasons, he has posted 13.5 sacks in the playoffs, which is the third most in league history. If the Denver Broncos can get their act together on offense, and new head coach Sean Payton can get them back to the playoffs, Frank Clark could become a huge asset in the postseason.
- Frank Clark stats (2022): 5 sacks, 39 tackles, 13 QB hits
Furthermore, Clark’s signing for only $7.5 million is a fantastic price for such a talented player who is still in his athletic prime.