Frank Clark should be elated about DeMarcus Lawrence’s new contract

The Cowboys gave DeMarcus Lawrence a lot of money on Friday. This should make Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark very happy.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider might have had an “uh oh” moment on Friday night. Schneider knows to keep Frank Clark long-term he will have to pay him a lot. After the Cowboys extended DeMarcus Lawrence for five years and a contract worth $105 million, Clark’s asking price to stay in Seattle might have just gone up. Way up.

Lawrence’s deal will pay him a record amount for a defensive player in year one of his current contract, $31.1 million. Through year three of the deal, Lawrence could get up to $65 million. And one could make the argument that Clark is the better player of the two.

Lawrence is a year older than Clark and he has been in the NFL for one year longer, five years for Lawrence and four for Clark. In that time, Clark has one more sack than Lawrence, 35 to 34. Clark was quite a bit better in 2018 than Lawrence. Clark had 2.5 more sacks than Lawrence and four more hits on the quarterback.

https://twitter.com/TheRealFrankC_/status/1114304528587689984

Yet, Lawrence has gone to the Pro Bowl the last two seasons and Clark has yet to go to one. Clark might be feeling a bit disrespected as well. Seattle’s edge rusher might get paid lots of money and still feel like he has something to prove. This could be great for the Seahawks. Or not.

If Seattle wants to work out a long-term deal with Clark, this is the offseason to do it. Most likely, Seattle won’t be able to franchise tag Clark next year like they did this offseason. In 2020, the Seahawks will be trying to re-sign Bobby Wagner, Jarran Reed and possibly Russell Wilson. Though, as we all know, Wilson’s agent has put a deadline on any extension talks before next year. Seattle may have to use the franchise tag on some other player than Clark.

Clark has to be feeling great about his future financial worth. If he doesn’t sign an extension and doesn’t get the franchise tag next year he is free to walk. And he will walk right into a huge contract with someone, whether it be the Seahawks or another team. But if John Schneider values Clark as much as Clark hopes, then Clark is going to be offered a lot of money this offseason to stay for the next several years in Seattle. It must be good to be Frank Clark right now.