What a Seahawks trade for star DT Kenny Clark could look like
By Geoff Shull
Given the level of talent that Clark possesses, why would the Packers entertain trading Kenny Clark?
Kenny Clark has put together 4 very strong seasons for the Packers. This is capped off with his first Pro-Bowl nod in 2019. The team picked up his fifth-year option that will pay just north of $7.6 million in 2020. Both Clark and the Packers have expressed a desire to get an extension in place. So what’s holding them back?
It’s possible it’s due to the contract demands of the player. After all, the position has exploded in value over the last couple of years. His contract could be anywhere between Grady Jarrett’s $17 million per year and DeForest Buckner’s $21 million per year deal.
The Packers have the cap space to make an extension work. However, they also have superstar left tackle David Bakhtiari’s contract expiring this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up asking for $17 to $22 million per year thanks to Laremy Tunsil’s recent extension.
There is also an obstacle to paying their two edge rushers a combined $29.5 million per year in Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. Adding a massive Kenny Clark extension would have a lot of their cap space purely focused on rushing the passer.
Cap space by year, per team
Year: 2020 2021 2022
Seahawks: $13.7 $63.0 $186.9
Packers: $13.5 $30.6 $107.6
Realistically, the Packers would be wise to simply extend the defensive tackle. Players of his caliber do not come around often. They can afford it, just barely. If they extended both Clark and Bakhtiari they will have to have some major sacrifices in both depth and second-tier starters. But it can be done.
The Packers have some motivation to move Clark, but not nearly enough. This trade will undoubtedly be an expensive proposition.