Reports: Seahawks agree to trade star pass rusher Frank Clark
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll greets Frank Clark on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at CenturyLink Field on December 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
According to multiple reports Tuesday morning, the Seattle Seahawks have agreed to trade star pass-rusher Frank Clark to the Chiefs for a package of draft picks including Kansas City's 2019 first-rounder.
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Twitter that in addition to the Chiefs' first-round pick this year, Seattle would acquire Kansas City's second-round pick in 2020 and the two teams would swap mid-round picks.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the deal as well, and said the swap of picks would be for third rounders.
The Seahawks had placed the franchise tag on Clark in March after the pass rushing specialist's rookie contract expired this offseason. That would have paid him $17.1 million in 2019.
Rapaport reported that the Chiefs and Clark had already agreed to a long-term deal Tuesday worth $105.5 million over five seasons with $63.5 million guaranteed.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said last week that he was aggressively trying to upgrade the defense, and he acknowledge the window for winning a Super Bowl title began last season. That’s when Patrick Mahomes took over at quarterback and had an MVP season as a first-time starter, leading Kansas City to a third straight AFC West title and the conference championship game.
“We want to take the next step,” Veach said. “Certainly, it goes without saying our offense we pretty efficient last year and I think we are always looking to improve and get better.”
Clark had a breakout season in 2018 for Seattle, recording 13 sacks and 41 tackles. He racked up 35 total sacks in four seasons with the Seahawks after the team drafted him in the second round in 2015.
“This time, and the trade deadline, there’s some speculation about a lot of players,” Seahawks General Manager John Schneider said on Monday. “We’re involved in a lot of deals. We take a lot of pride in that. We wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we weren’t listening to everybody.”
Kansas City ultimately won the bidding for him.
The trade would give Seattle two first-round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft that starts Thursday. The team would have both the 21st and 29th overall selections.
The Seahawks have also been busy retooling their defense this offseason, adding defensive ends Cassius Marsh and Nate Orchard as they shopped Clark. They are expected to continue to target help in the pass rush and the defensive backfield in the first couple of rounds of the draft.
The additional first-round pick Thursday night also gives Seattle some flexibility.
Schneider has a tendency to move around in drafts, and it’s possible the Seahawks could trade down and acquire additional picks. They still only have five selections overall, and in nine previous drafts in charge, Schneider has never made fewer than eight selections.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.