Kenny

Clark

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.

Clark is the only real question mark for the Packers. He’s been one of the top interior rushers in the league, posting six sacks and 17 pressures over 869 snaps. Clark should play through a back injury he’s dealt with for most of the year.

Clark has been having a down year, but he would be a huge absence vs. the Raiders. The Packers are already getting gutted by the run.

GM Brian Gutekunst said this would be the case, and it’s now official. The deadline is Friday. The 27th overall pick in the 2016 draft, Clark has developed into one of the top interior 3-4 linemen in the league, grading out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 6 interior lineman out of 119 qualifiers last season. Clark was equally dominant both against run and as a pocket-pusher. Clark is still just 23.