What Chris Jones’ Deal Means For Kenny Clark

Green Bay Packers know they have a big offseason ahead of them. While they’re focused on a great 2020 campaign, there is a realization that they have multiple big-ticket free agents. David Bakhtiari, Corey Linsley, Aaron Jones, Kevin King, and Kenny Clark are all free agents next Spring. The odds that the Packers will and could bring everyone back is unlikely. The priority order stands at Clark, Jones, Bakhtiari, Linsley, and King. Clark will have a baseline of what type of contract to want from Green Bay. Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs got paid yesterday with a four-year 80 million dollar deal.
That will be the basis of conversation for the Packers and Clark whenever they come to the table. There have been zero discussions had with Clark and the team. That is not a cause for concern. Most Packers fans would like to see a deal done, but that’s not how teams typically operate. My assumption is Green Bay will look at the five guys above and those they want back, Clark included, they will begin conversations in training camp. Green Bay ideally would love to lock one of these guys up, therefore, the stress of trying to get everyone back isn’t there.
Jones is the highest-paid nose tackle in football. The only guys that make more money than him are Aaron Donald at 22 million per year and DeForest Buckner at 21 million per year. Jones is damn good, and Clark is his equal. This is why Green Bay should look towards the 20 million mark to get this deal done. Packers are projected to have 33 million dollars available in cap space for 2021. Russ Ball is a wizard, so, if they want Clark back (And they should), a deal can be worked out to find the optimal price for the former first-rounder.
One thing to remember that might help the Packers’ cause is Clark’s age. He is only 24 years old. This means Clark could sign a three-year deal and be 27 looking for that final big contract. There is an opportunity for the Packers nose tackle to get paid twice and truly cash in. That could help the Packers in the negotiations, but Clark’s team will likely look directly at what Jones is making.
Charlie.