As reported by Jordan Schultz, the Denver Broncos have signed Frank Clark to a one-year deal worth up to $7 million. How will this move affect the Broncos’ defense going forward? How much better is the Denver defense after adding the Super Bowl-champion pass rusher?
As reported by Adam Schefter, the structure of the contract includes a 5.5 million dollar base guarantee with a million in “makeable incentives” and the other million that would require “challenging stats”.
After a low free agency market for the former pro bowler, Clark decided to join a division rival on a prove-it type deal. Frank Clark’s play has diminished in recent years and the arrival of George Karlaftis allowed the Chiefs to move on from the former star.
The Broncos are looking to pair Randy Gregory with opposite side pass-rush teammate in Clark. They also added Zach Allen in order to make them a better overall defensive line for the Broncos. A pass rush that stars Frank Clark, Randy Gregory, and Zach Allen is a pretty solid defensive pass rush. While it is not one of the best in the league, it is still average or at the very least the top of the below-average category.
The Broncos were solid on the defensive end and adding Clark certainly gives them a chance to keep that way. Denver’s biggest problems last season were their poor offensive play-calling and poor play by their starting QB, Russell Wilson. This caused them to have a horrible season where they ended up as one of the worst teams in the league.
In terms of addressing those problems, the Broncos didn’t really do that with this move (obviously). Still, this move allows the Broncos a pass-rushing flyer (a vet who is aging) but still has some left in the tank. If the Broncos are able to add Dalvin Cook in addition to this signing, Denver’s last season could seem like a bad nightmare if Sean Payton and OC Joe Lombardi aren’t doing horrible jobs calling plays.
Finally, it seems like Clark could have signed this flyer contract with a lot of teams in the league but choose the Broncos because of them being a division rival of the Chiefs. Obviously, that means they will play them twice. The Chiefs could have chosen to keep Clark by borrowing future cap space instead of outright cutting him. Due to this reason, this seems like a cool plot for next season.