NFL Free Agency: Kansas City Chiefs reportedly expected to release Frank Clark

NFL insider Adam Schefter reported Monday that the Kansas City Chiefs are expected to part ways and release defensive end Frank Clark.

After several conversations between the Chiefs, Clark, and his agent Erik Burkhardt, they were unable to rework Clark’s contract and find common ground. Clark’s contract would have paid him a base salary of $20.5 million, and cutting him will save Kansas City $21 million against their 2023 salary cap.

The 29-year-old Clark has spent the last four seasons with Kansas City after being traded from the Seattle Seahawks in 2019. In his eight seasons in the NFL Clark has recorded 59.5 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries.

He was a valuable piece of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV and LVII victories, ranking third all-time in NFL history in postseason sacks. The three-time Pro Bowler is coming off of a season where he just had five sacks, his lowest total since his rookie season, but will still likely be a high-profile free agent in the 2023 market.

Kansas City Chiefs reportedly not placing franchise tag on Orlando Brown

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the Kansas City Chiefs will not be franchise-tagging offensive lineman Orlando Brown this offseason.

Brown was traded to the Chiefs from the Baltimore Ravens in April of 2021, and will become an unrestricted free agent next Monday, March 13. This gives Kansas City one week to negotiate a long-term deal with Brown, or else he will be able to freely negotiate a deal with other teams.

Placing the franchise tag on Brown would have given him a nearly $20 million deal, as the four-time Pro Bowler helped protect MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes on their way to a Super Bowl LVII win in February versus the Philadelphia Eagles.

After a successful 2021 season of protecting Mahomes’ blindside, the Chiefs and Brown could not agree on a long-term deal, resulting in him receiving the franchise tag last offseason. Kansas City reportedly offered Brown a six-year extension worth up to $139 million, but did not see eye to eye on the deal. And this offseason, if Brown does hit free agency, he’d likely sign a large deal as one of the highest-profile players on the market.

Kansas City General Manager Brett Veach was asked at the NFL Combine about Brown’s contract negations and the possibility of franchising tagging him saying, “I mean it’s an option. We went through this path last year. As always, it’s more beneficial to us to get something done long-term. That’s why this season is so important to us.”

Veach continued, “Really, this is the start. We’ll have a lot of dialogue, as you know. The combine is great to come in and check out the new college talent, but a lot of the time here is spent talking with the agents of our players to start exchanging information. Unlike last year, we at least have a runway to work with. We’ve gotten to know his team a little bit better, so we’re excited to get that process started here and get something figured out.”