Frank Clark is back

Seahawks sign Frank Clark, but will he have an impact? Seaside Joe 1697

Hopefully for the sake of breaking news, Frank Clark passes his physical today and doesn’t turn Wednesday’s reports into a moot point parade. However, if Clark doesn’t play much better than he has recently, then news of a Seahawks signing could be just as pointless.

The Seattle Seahawks are going to sign Frank Clark on Wednesday, barring any of those setbacks.

I first mentioned a Frank Clark reunion two weeks ago, when he was still on the Denver Broncos. Then he was the first name I brought up on Monday after it was reported that Uchenna Nwosu could miss the rest of the season with a pectoral injury. But it’s not that hard to connect the dots:

The Seahawks needed an edge rusher.

Frank Clark is an edge rusher.

Pete Carroll loves reunions.

When Clark last played for Seattle in 2018, Bobby Wagner was the middle linebacker, Jarran Reed started at defensive tackle, and Clint Hurtt was the defensive line coach. Hurtt’s promotion and pretty much everything else has changed since then, both for the Seahawks and Clark.

BONUS: Why Seahawks defense is catching up to Browns and best in the NFL

Clark had 13 sacks and 27 QB hits in 2018, then kind of rolled off three of the most puzzling Pro Bowl selections for a defensive end in the modern era.

I mean, Clark went to the Pro Bowl in 2021 when he had 4.5 sacks while also playing next to the second-best defensive tackle in the NFL (and Jarran Reed), so I don’t care how good your run defense is…edge rushers don’t go to the Pro Bowl for run defense. And the Chiefs ranked 31st in yards per carry allowed that year!

But Zack Eisen of Arrowhead Report did have a lot of positive things to say about Clark and why Kansas City should bring him back for a fifth season:

While he may not be the same level pass rusher as he once was, Clark's run defense is still elite. That run-defending ability would get him on the field in early downs over guys who may need to be more polished in that aspect of the game. The former Pro Bowler would be able to eat snaps, especially on early downs, to keep the pass rush rotation fresh.

While on-field production is essential, with the number of young players the Chiefs have in the pipeline, Clark's intangibles and leadership are invaluable. Last year during training camp, videos started to surface of Clark working with then-rookie Karlaftis after practice had ended. There were no coaches — it was just Clark, Karlaftis and a dummy to practice pass rush moves on. 

Eventually, more players started joining the sessions, with it being dubbed 'Frank Clark's Camp.' That willingness and desire to teach the younger pass rushers only helps elevate the team, and that can be useful for Anudike-Uzomah, Thompson and Jones this year.

Offensive linemen like Jake Curhan have praised veteran Jason Peters for the impact he’s had on them and the team even without being on the 53-man roster. Clark will be signed to the 53-man roster if all goes well (and Peters is expected to at least be elevated from the practice squad this week), but maybe he could also be of service to Seattle’s young players and future of the franchise.

Boye Mafe, Derick Hall, and Darrell Taylor, the last of whom could certainly use pointers on run defense.

That’s very encouraging! But then there’s also the side to Clark as a football player that simply won’t match the loss of Nwosu. He has not been a great a pass rusher, although maybe some of that is attributed to situation and scheme. He went to the Broncos this year and didn’t even play as much as Randy Gregory, another veteran let go by Denver this season. Maybe it was just a bad fit from the beginning. The move could be a great one for the Seahawks, but it’s best to keep low expectations.

However, I don’t think that the Frank Clark signing has to stop the Seahawks from making another move at the trade deadline. Nwosu goes on IR, Clark takes his spot on the 53, but Seattle should have no problem finding room on the roster because they do carry five linebackers (bye Jon Rhattigan again?), four tight ends (yes, Brady Russell is on the roster), and Peters being ready could spell doom for someone like Raiqwon O’Neal or McClendon Curtis. The Seahawks also have Joey Hunt on the roster.

For some reason, I keep circling Green Bay’s Preston Smith and if the Packers lose to the Vikings this Sunday, the front office should be working the phones to see who they can sell to the highest bidder and packing their bags for 2024. Arden Key of the Titans is another name I’d consider, as the big names like Danielle Hunter (I doubt Minnesota is looking to sell anyway) and Brian Burns are just too expensive for what Seattle needs to do.

Besides, in a bonus article about the Seahawks defense that I wrote as this news broke, Seattle’s not that far away from being among the best in the NFL on that side of the ball as is. Adding Clark gets the Seahawks a little bit closer to where they were with Nwosu, so maybe just adding one more Clark could get them all the way there.

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