Frank Clark back to Kansas City: Addressing the rumours

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Reunion? Just over seven months after the Chiefs said goodbye to linebacker Frank Clark, rumours are swirling about his potential return to KC.

The 30-year-old, who was released by the reigning champions in March, is looking for a new team after Denver decided to take him off their payroll on Friday.

That news came hours after the Broncos suffered a 16th consecutive defeat to the Chiefs, dropping them to 1-5, bottom of the AFC West.

According to ESPN, Clark recently restructured his contract to generate a trade or release.

Clark had signed a fully guaranteed $5.45 million contract with Denver over the off-season but gave back $1.679 million before his official release.

A three-time Pro Bowler during his time at KC, Clark only featured in two games as a Bronco, registering two tackles.

He missed three weeks of the season with a hip injury, playing 36 snaps in his two games with Denver.

Now that he’s a man without a team, it’s sparked the thought of a potential return to the Chiefs.

Frank Clark future

Judging from his social media, it’d be something Chiefs pass rusher Chris Jones would like to see as he tweeted over the off-season to the club to bring him back.

Jones may get his wish following Clark’s release, and there are plenty of good arguments for the Chiefs to sign him.

Clark knows the Chiefs’ defensive system under Steve Spagnuolo; he helped them win two Super Bowls and could hit the ground running.

However, as exciting as it might be to have him return, is that in the club’s best interest?

That’s the big question that we’re likely to find out soon.

At 30 years old one would think Clark still has a lot to give to the game and can make a contending team that much better.

He’s been unable to replicate his sack totals since leaving Seattle for KC, with Clark registering only five last year.

In his last regular season with KC, where Clark played 15 games, the Chiefs were 11th in yards allowed (328.2), but after six contests in 2023, they’re up to fifth (284).

The Chiefs finished the 2022 regular season with the second-most team sacks in the NFL (55), five of which came from Clark, who also had 25 solo tackles, the third-most in his career.

As we head into the weekend, Kansas City is tied for third regarding quarterback sacks (17), with multiple in every game except their opener.

They have also had three or more sacks in four of six contests this season, with nine players getting at least a half-sack thus far.

As for stopping the run, KC are in about the same spot to this point of 2023 as they were a year ago, conceding an identical 4.4 yards per carry, while they currently rank 10th, exactly where they finished last season.

I’m sure the Chiefs would welcome him back with open arms, but to play devil’s advocate, could his addition negatively impact their continuity defensively?

The Chiefs have a good thing going on defense across the board right now without him, so as much as he may fit in, perhaps the current players do more?

It will be interesting to watch where Clark finally ends up.