With few exceptions, the Green Bay Packers rarely sign third contracts. Generally speaking, third contracts are a huge risk considering the level of investment required for a player who is 30 or older.
The Packers feel they have less risk with defensive lineman Kenny Clark, who signed a three-year, $64 million extension with the team on Sunday. That deal was Clark’s third with the Packers — a rookie contract, a huge second contract and now a massive third contract.
Clark could be the occasional case where the investment in a third contract is absolutely worth it. Not only is he just 28 years aged, but he has proven to be an elite and reliable player at an increasingly valuable position — and the Packers believe he is the perfect player to aid lead a championship-caliber locker room.
“Not only is he an elite player, he’s an elite guy in the locker room. It made sense,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said Monday. “Honestly, for a third-year player under contract that we don’t have a lot of, he’s still a very young player. He’s played a lot of snaps, he’s played a lot of games, but he’s a very young player. He’s built to last. Hopefully, he will.”
Clark was drafted in the first round by the Packers in 2016. He has played nearly 6,000 total snaps and is now entering his ninth NFL season, but he doesn’t turn 29 until October.
Over the past five seasons, Clark has missed just four games and has never played fewer than 13 games in a season. Not only has he been strong year after year, but Clark has never been seriously injured. Add to that the fact that Clark is a three-time Pro Bowl selection who is coming off a rocky 2023 season and is likely poised for a massive season in a modern, attacking defense, and the extension was likely an straightforward decision in Green Bay.
“He’s just a professional. He takes care of his body. He puts the right things first. The most important thing for Kenny is,” Gutekunst said. “He loves football. I think to play as long as he does at this level, you have to love it, and he definitely loves football. He’s a selfless team player. He’s all about winning. He’s the kind of guy we want in the locker room.”
Clark had 66 total pressures playing in a 3-4 defense last season. In Jeff Hafley’s modern 4-3, which should provide more opportunities down the field, Clark’s impact could skyrocket. Increasingly, NFL teams are investing in disruptive defensive linemen who can impact the passing game. In Hafley’s defense, Clark could threaten to eclipse his first 10-sack season.
“He’s good in every system. Hopefully there’s more to him,” coach Matt LaFleur said.
Most NFL players are talented enough to be great from time to time. The truly elite players are consistently great, and the Packers believe Clark is one of the most consistent players in football.
“He’s the poster child for the type of player you want to build a program around,” Gutekunst said. “Obviously, he’s a great player. He’s as consistent as you could ever hope to be. We’re really excited to extend our relationship with him and have him lead this group for the foreseeable future.”
“Kenny is a model of consistency in everything he does,” LaFleur said. “His attitude. He’s been here, participating in the entire offseason. Just the work he puts in. He’s taken guys to California with him, helping young guys. And you can always count on him, every Sunday. I’m really happy, thrilled that we did it. I think the guys are excited.”
Talented, strong, consistent. Clark is all of that and more. His modern deal averages more than $21 million in modern money, but the Packers are banking on everything that makes Clark great, reducing the risk typically built into third-year contracts.
