Frank Clark signs one-year free-agent deal with Chiefs’ AFC West rival: report

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark has found a new home ... in the division.

Clark, who won two Super Bowls during his four years with the Chiefs, signed a free-agent deal on Thursday with the AFC West’s Denver Broncos, according to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter later reported that Clark agreed to a one-year contract for $5.5 million guaranteed. The pact can reach up to $7.5 million including incentives, Schefter said.

The Chiefs released Clark in March after the two sides were not able to rework a deal. Clark initially had a large cap number for 2023 — $28,765,000, according to OverTheCap.com — with the Chiefs able to save about $21 million in salary-cap dollars by releasing him before June 1.

Clark — he turns 30 next week — had a bounce-back year for the Chiefs this past season after dedicating himself to losing weight, as his 64.0 Pro Football Focus combined grade from the regular season and postseason was his highest during his four seasons with KC. He also posted nine sacks while improving his play against the run.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid and Clark have a close bond, with Clark last season referring to Reid as a “father figure.” Clark and Reid are both originally from Los Angeles.

Clark also had a supporter in Chiefs teammate Chris Jones, who a few times this offseason tweeted his support for bringing Clark back to KC’s roster. Jones congratulated Clark on Twitter for his deal Thursday afternoon before seemingly sharing some frustration that the two wouldn’t be teammates again.

“smh...” Jones tweeted about a half-hour later.

Clark has a reputation for performing in the postseason, as his 13.5 career playoff sacks are the third-most in NFL history.

The Chiefs initially traded a first-round pick and second-round pick in 2019 to the Seattle Seahawks for Clark. He earned Pro Bowl nods for KC in 2019, 2020 and 2021 while combining for 18.5 sacks in those three seasons.