Packers insider reveals significant update on Kenny Clark's future

Kenny Clark is one of the Green Bay Packers' most important players, but with only a year remaining on his deal, there was uncertainty over his future.

He has a cap hit of $27.49 million, enters his ninth season with the Packers in 2024, and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in less than a year. Many Packers greats haven't landed third contracts, including Davante Adams.

Clark had arguably the best season of his career in 2023, making 7.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, and nine tackles for loss, earning his third Pro Bowl selection.

Green Bay chose not to lower his cap hit via a restructure or extension before the start of the new league year, but that could soon change.

NFL insider reveals Packers working on 'top-of-the-line' Kenny Clark extension

Clark is still on top of his game, and switching to a 4-3 defense may help him put up even better numbers in 2024. And the Packers reportedly plan to keep him around beyond this season.

According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers are "nearing negotiations" for a "top-of-the-line" extension with Clark.

That's significant.

Extending Clark's deal achieves two things. It allows the Packers to create more cap space in the short term. More importantly, it ensures their three-time Pro Bowler remains in Green Bay for multiple seasons.

If we're talking "top-of-the-line" extension, we have to start with the deal Christian Wilkins signed this offseason. The Las Vegas Raiders signed Wilkins to a four-year, $110 million contract with $84.75 million guaranteed.

A few days earlier, the Baltimore Ravens gave Pro Bowl defensive tackle Justin Madubuike a four-year, $98 million deal with $75.5 million guaranteed. Clark posted this shortly after Madubuike's new deal:

That's likely the starting point for negotiations with Clark. Are the Packers prepared to make him one of the league's highest-paid defensive tackles? Silverstein's report suggests the answer is yes.

It would be a huge win for Jeff Hafley and the entire defense. Clark is a game-changer and one of the best in the league at his position. It makes sense to work on a new deal this summer, creating cap space in 2024 while ensuring the three-time Pro Bowler doesn't leave in free agency next offseason.

Green Bay has plenty of cap space, but it will need as much as possible with extensions for Clark and Jordan Love potentially on the way.

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