The experiment with Frank Clark switching teams in the lopsided AFC West rivalry has taken an unexpected turn, and it might be coming to an end.
According to recent reports from NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo, Frank Clark and the Denver Broncos have agreed to reduce his base salary for the 2023 season. Clark has agreed to a drastic pay cut to the league minimum of $841,000 for the remainder of the season, down from his initial $3.5 million salary. His decision to return $1.679 million in base pay as part of the restructured contract is significant and might portend a breakup between the player and the team.
While Frank Clark’s future with the struggling 1-4 Broncos remains uncertain, Garafolo notes that he won’t participate in the upcoming Thursday night game against his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs, due to an undisclosed illness.
Given Clark’s prior success, this turn of events is puzzling. He consistently recorded 4.5 or more sacks per season from 2016 to 2022 while playing for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks, earning him three Pro Bowl selections between 2019 and 2021. Clark joined the Broncos, but he hasn’t had much of an impact so far. He has participated in just two of the Broncos’ first five games and has only recorded two tackles and no sacks through the first five weeks of the season.
Denver’s acquisition of Clark in the offseason was intended to bolster their defense, particularly in the pass-rushing department, an area where they were in dire need. With the trade of another notable offseason signing, Randy Gregory, to the San Francisco 49ers, the Broncos may find themselves contemplating a similar move with Clark. Fortunately, his salary is no longer a roadblock in potential trade discussions.
The abrupt reduction in Clark’s salary may serve as a signal of the Broncos’ dissatisfaction with his performance and the urgency to explore other options. Whether this move is a precursor to a trade or a wake-up call for Clark to regain his previous form remains to be seen. Nonetheless, it’s evident that the Broncos are actively seeking ways to improve their defense and reverse their disappointing start to the 2023 season.
