NFL rumors: Chiefs making huge cap-cutting move after talks fall through

The Chiefs couldn’t work out a restructured deal for defensive end Frank Clark and now look likely to release the playoff star to save a chunk of cap space.

Frank Clark played a huge role in two different Chiefs Super Bowl runs. It doesn’t look like he’ll be around for a third.

Clark and Kansas City were in talks aimed at restructuring his deal this offseason but they were “unable to find common ground,” according to Adam Schefter.

The result? Clark is expected to be released by the Chiefs.

Chiefs and Frank Clark’s agent Erik Burkhardt were unable to find common ground on a reworked deal during several conversations at the combine and the expectation now is that Kansas City will release the 29-year-old DE who is the NFL’s third all-time leading postseason sack… https://t.co/IqjwATIWSt

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2023

The Chiefs will save significant cap space by releasing Frank Clark

Clark was scheduled to become a free agent in 2024. By releasing him now, KC will save $21 million in cap space while eating $7.7 million in dead money.

That kind of cap savings will help Kansas City navigate free agency this offseason but losing Clark to get it may be a hard pill to swallow considering his impact on the Chiefs’ recent postseason success.

Clark had 2.5 sacks during the 2023 playoff run, adding to his career total of 13.5. He ranks third in NFL history in postseason sacks. He had five total sacks during the playoffs when the Chiefs capped the 2019 season with a win in Super Bowl LIV.

The regular-season success for Clark has been a bit more muted. He garnered Pro Bowl nods in 2019, 2020 and 2021 but this past season he missed out. He had 39 tackles, eight tackles for loss and five sacks in 2022.

It’s been a great run for Clark and the Chiefs but contract negotiations are what they are, especially for a 29-year-old who has dealt with injury and legal issues in the past couple of years.

Kansas City now has to figure out how to replace Clark’s impact in the biggest games. It won’t be easy. And his absence is not the only gap they’ll need to fill.