Kanas City Chiefs fans will be bummed to learn where DE Frank Clark has decided to take his talents after the team released him in March.
The Kansas City Chiefs' defensive retool led them to release DE Frank Clark in March. The 29-year-old made 15 starts for the Super Bowl champs last season, registering 5.0 sacks and 39 combined tackles. From 2019-2021, he made three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances.
Now the former Chief has found a new home — and the Arrowhead fanatics will not be thrilled.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Clark has signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the division-rival Denver Broncos.
Frank Clark signs with Denver Broncos, will compete against Chiefs in the AFC West
The Chiefs spent their summer re-signing key defensive pieces like Chris Jones. Kansas City won its second Super Bowl of the Patrick Mahomes era in February and their odds of repeating certainly won't plummet with the Clark news.
That said, Clark has been an important part of their defensive frontline for the past four years. He now joins a Denver team historically renowned for its defense. The Broncos have a lot of work to do to live up to the defensive greatness of years past, but Clark should give them a considerable boost. Plus, he will get to face the Chiefs twice next season — potentially with a chip on his shoulder and a point to make.
Denver is looking to repair its reputation and return to contention under new head coach Sean Payton. While much of the conversation around Payton's arrival has focused on his partnership with QB Russell Wilson, the Broncos will need to execute on both sides of the ball to contend. Defense is all the more important when one considers the severity of Wilson's struggles last season.
The Chiefs are still the heavy, borderline invincible favorites to win the AFC West. Barring health issues, it's difficult to imagine the Broncos ascending to Kansas City's level. Clark, however, will do his best to make it happen.
The Broncos and Chiefs play on Oct. 12 and Oct. 29. That's a double-shot of bad blood and a heated division rivalry to ring in Halloween. We're in for some good football.