Last year, when the Dallas Cowboys acquired DT Kenny Clark as part of the team’s controversial Micah Parsons trade, two things were immediately clear about him:

• Clark was a solid addition when isolated from the context of the trade. In him, the Cowboys got a much-needed quality defensive tackle.
• One of the biggest reasons the Cowboys liked him was his contract flexibility. Though Clark is set to be owed $21 million in 2026, none of the salary is guaranteed and it gives the front office plenty of options moving forward.

This article is about those options.

As free agency quickly approaches, the Cowboys have a decision to make on Clark’s future. After acquiring All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams in November, the Cowboys now have three high-end defensive tackles that are unlikely to share the field a lot.

It’s true, Dallas used a five-man front featuring the three DTs over the second half of the season, but it was more of a desperate solution to their defensive woes rather than a deliberate plan.

So now, how do they move forward? Do they keep three top-tier DTs? Or do they move on for team-building purposes?

Option 1: Keep DT a major strength

Though using Clark as a trade asset and/or to clear cap space is an enticing idea, the Cowboys defense has so many holes that ensuring DT remains a strength could be the wisest choice.

Is Clark going to play 80% of the snaps next year? Maybe not. But he, Osa Odighizuwa, and Quinnen Williams can be a relentless threat for opposing offenses. We just saw the Seattle Seahawks show how much of an impact a dangerous group of DTs can make.

The Cowboys have a long way to go if they want to reach Seattle’s level of dominance. However, trading away one of their defensive tackles would only further remove them from it.

Option 2: Trade Clark away

Still, a trade always sounds like a bad idea unless you hear what is on the other side of it. What if the Cowboys can land a starting edge rusher or cornerback in return for Clark? The Cowboys could have two viable starters at DT even without Clark while fixing one of their many defensive needs. It makes sense.

Here’s what I wouldn’t like, however: Landing a Day 3 pick for Clark. And with a $21 million salary in 2026, it could be a challenge to get much value in return. The Cowboys should be in win now mode over the next two to three years years with the way Dak Prescott is playing.

Option 3: Cut Clark

Getting rid of Clark for nothing in return would be a shame, with the lone benefit being freeing up $21 million in cap space. If used wisely, it could be worth it but I highly doubt it.

I also doubt Jerry Jones would straight up cut Clark less than one year after pitching him as an immediate upgrade to the fans. Maybe they can get the veteran DT to agree to a pay cut now that Williams is a part of the roster, though.

What should the Cowboys do?

I wouldn’t be too concerned about cap space, as the Cowboys can get to $100 million in cap space by simply restructuring. With that in mind, I don’t see the value in trading Clark away unless you’re getting an immediate starter at another position of need. Those opportunities will be hard to come by.

So if I was the Cowboys GM, I’d just keep DT a strength and focus on building around the position.

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