Frank Clark reveals inside details of his negotiations with the Chiefs
Chiefs Kingdom was shocked on Thursday as one of the best playoff performers of all time ended up signing with the Chiefs' biggest rival in the franchise's history. There was always a feeling he would go somewhere else, but there was also a feeling that he could return on a cheaper deal.On Thursday, after he […]
Chiefs Kingdom was shocked on Thursday as one of the best playoff performers of all time ended up signing with the Chiefs' biggest rival in the franchise's history. There was always a feeling he would go somewhere else, but there was also a feeling that he could return on a cheaper deal.
On Thursday, after he signed his one-year, $5.5 million deal with the Denver Broncos, Clark revealed some important details about his offseason situation with the Chiefs.
There's a lot to unpack here, so stay with me.
“At the end of the day, it’s a business but I took a pay cut for years at a time — I think it was two years in row I had to take a pay cut, which is fine.” said Clark. “But going into my third year, I had a pretty great year… I helped my team win another Super Bowl. And I do what I have to do. But then I have big pay coming in next year on my deal, 20-plus million I think, which is high as s—t. Obviously, it’s high, man, in this era of football, especially in this era of [salary] cap, too.
“So we obviously know something has to be worked out. I wasn’t asking for an out-the-ballpark number. I wasn’t asking for $15-20 million. I was due like 25… My agent (Erik Burkhardt), he basically just gave me the scoop and said [the Chiefs said], ‘We’re trying to get something done with a few other guys on the team,’ and I said, ‘I’m with you. I understand fully.’ And he said, ‘If it comes around in free agency, if we can make something work out later on, let’s stay in contact and we can work something out.’ And I said, ‘All right, I got you.’ And that was basically the gist of the conversation.
“Did I get an offer? Was it anything said to that degree? No. No, it was never nothing said, because it was more him saying like, ‘Yo. I don’t want to offer you a number that you’re going to feel disrespected if I offer you, to keep it real with you.’
“I feel like we both enjoyed the time. I truthfully believe them and agree with that. I enjoyed my time in KC. I enjoyed the relationship that I built with everybody. There's no hard feelings to anybody in that building.”
Both sides really kept it classy. In the end, Clark will be a Chiefs legend. He is currently third all-time in playoff sacks with 13.5, 2.5 sacks behind Willie McGinest.
When the Chiefs traded for Clark from Seattle, there were some mixed emotions on the trade from the fan base – mainly because of some of the things he had done off the field. However, the Chiefs had to replace Justin Houston and Dee Ford somehow.
Clark came in and won two Super Bowls and helped turn the defense around. One day, we end up seeing his name in the Chiefs' ring of honor. But right now, he is the enemy, as he helps the Broncos end a 15-game win streak.
You may not like Denver, but you can't deny they are getting a good one.
You can see the full interview here.
Featured Image Via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
