Report: Chiefs will release Frank Clark

According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Kansas City Chiefs intend to release defensive end Frank Clark in order to create salary-cap space for the coming season.

Schefter’s report indicates that general manager Brett Veach met with Clark’s agent several times during last week’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. They could not agree on a way to reduce Clark’s 2023 cap hit — which Spotrac had previously reported to be $30.2 million for the final year of his contract.

The two sides reached an agreement of that nature a year ago, creating $12.6 million in cap space right before the beginning of the 2022 league year in mid-March.

Spotrac now reports that Clark’s release will free $21 million in cap space, leaving behind $7.7 in dead money.

This leaves Kansas City with an estimated $20.5 million in cap space. On Monday, the league also finalized adjustments for 2022 incentives, roster bonuses and carryover cap space for all of its teams. This adjustment reduced Kansas City’s cap space by $2.7 million, making it an estimated $17.8 million.

Just before 2019’s NFL Draft, the Chiefs traded their first-round pick and a 2020 second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for Clark and a swap of third-round picks. The team then signed Clark to a five-year, $105.5 million contract. The defensive end ended up earning $77.5 million of that money before Kansas City decided to move on.

In four seasons with the Chiefs, Clark accumulated 127 tackles (88 solo, 32 for loss), six forced fumbles (and three fumble recoveries), seven passes defended, an interception, 23.5 sacks, 59 quarterback hits and a safety.

But that was just during the regular season. In both the 2019 and 2023 postseason campaigns, Clark was an important contributor who made plays during key moments that led to the team's second and third Lombardi Trophies.