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The defensive tackle market has seen a recent explosion with seven players receiving massive deals. Because of this some veteran defensive tackles who are in the last year of their current contracts are leveraging the market into new deals. DeForest Buckner is one such example, as is Derrick Brown.
Along those lines, Kenny Clark may want to engage the Packers in such negotiations. He is due $17 million in cash in 2024, which is seventh among the position group. However, that $17 million is all that the Packers owe him and it ranks 25th among all defensive tackles. Clark’s production certainly warrants a conversation over extending him.
In 2023 among all interior defensive linemen he ranked 11th in sacks and sixth in total pressures. Additionally, over the last three years Clark ranks very well compared to most of the defensive tackles who recently signed new deals.
Within this group Clark ranks fifth in sacks, second in total pressures and second in pressure rate. Now, as a run defender, Clark leaves more to be desired.
He’s 5th in tackles, last in weighted Pro Football Focus Run Defense grade and defensive stops and fifth in average depth of target. This will cap Clark’s earning potential on his new deal as he won’t be considered a great all-around player.
Given the similarities in age and playtime Buckner would be the closest comp. Like Buckner, Clark will be seeking his third deal, although he is 1.5 years younger. Clark has played 10 less snaps and five less pass rush snaps than Buckner over the last three years. Clarks is a more consistent pass rusher, generating a pressure on 1.5% more snaps, while Buckner is the better run defender and converts pressures to sacks more often.
Clark will turn 29 during this upcoming season so he could get an additional year beyond the two-year extension Buckner just inked. It would keep him under contract through his 32nd birthday.
The Packers typically do not fully guarantee any portion of a contract outside of a player’s signing bonus, which is usually a bit over ⅓ of the total contract. The contract (including the final year of his current deal could look similar to this:
The option bonuses in 2026 and 2027 would come somewhere between the third and fifth day of the league year and would give the Packers potential outs where they can save $3,683,000 and $15,640,000 on the salary cap and $20,450,000 and $23,440,000 in cash, respectively. Clark would see his 2024 cash payment rise by $10,660,000 to $11,640,000 and a practical 2025 cash guarantee of $12,950,000.
The practical effect of this extension would be a one year deal for $23,610,000 with two option years for $20,450,000 and $23,440,000 each. In the meantime the Packers would save $9,340,000 on this year’s salary cap.
Final Contract Projection: Three Years, $67.5 Million - $25 Million Fully Guaranteed
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- Jags reportedly mulling extension for Trevor Lawrence, but is that the right choice?
- The 'Super Bowl starting QBs' quiz
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