Frank Clark Got Traded And May Become Nearly $90 Million Richer Because Of It

ByJoey Heldon April 30, 2019inArticles›Sports News

Have you ever heard someone say a person just needs a change of scenery? Maybe you’ve even felt it yourself. You were struggling or bored in one job, then switched to another one and thrived. Frank Clark just experienced a change of scenery – and it’s paying off in a huge way.

The Seattle Seahawks traded Clark to the Kansas City Chiefs. Clark hadn’t yet signed the Seahawks’ franchise tag offer, which would have been worth $17.128 million. Instead, he’s agreed to a five-year, $105.5 million deal with the Chiefs with $63.5 million of his new contract being guaranteed.

The overall worth of the deal makes it the richest a defensive player has signed this off season. Clark’s contract is more than the $105 million DeMarcus Lawrence received from the Cowboys, though Lawrence’s guarantee of $65 million is higher.

As part of the trade, the Chiefs will send their first-round draft pick this year, which is the 29th selection overall. They’ll also trade the lower of their two second rounders in 2020. Additionally, the Seahawks and Chiefs will swap third-round picks this year.

Frank Clark Got Traded And May Become Nearly $90 Million Richer Because Of It - 1

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

In four seasons in the NFL, Clark has amassed 36 sacks. He recorded 14 with the Seahawks last year.

The Seahawks recently offered a four-year, $140 million extension to quarterback Russell Wilson . That move means Wilson takes up nearly a fifth of Seattle’s salary cap. When Clark didn’t sign the franchise tag, the Seahawks couldn’t afford him.

Meanwhile, in Kansas City, Clark is one of five new faces on the defensive side of the ball. The team already signed Tyrann Mathieu and replaced most of their defensive coaching staff. The Chiefs had one of the league’s worst defenses last year, so they’re hoping these changes help them reach their first Super Bowl in 50 years.

The Chiefs value Clark’s consistency and were willing to pay him nearly $90 million more than the Seahawks were. Sometimes the grass truly is greener on the other side – all we need is a little change of scenery.

  • If The Chiefs Don’t Sign Guard Trey Smith To A New Contract, He’ll Make More Than Any Other Player At His Position Next Season
  • Seattle Seahawks Sign Russell Wilson To A Massive 4-Year $87.6 Million Revolutionary Deal
  • Russell Wilson Just Turned Down $21 Million A Year From The Seahawks… Is He Crazy?
  • DeMarcus Lawrence’s New Deal Includes More Year One Money Than Any Non-Quarterback Ever
  • Geno Smith’s Salary Was $3.5 Million Last Season — His New Contract Will Pay Him 30 Times That
  • 10 NFL Defensive Tackles Have Signed Contracts Worth Almost A Collective $1 Billion Over The Past Year

If The Chiefs Don’t Sign Guard Trey Smith To A New Contract, He’ll Make More Than Any Other Player At His Position Next Season

ByJoey Heldon July 14, 2025inArticles›Sports News

The Kansas City Chiefs are racing against the clock. No, it’s not Patrick Mahomes leading a two-minute drill for a chance to win a game at the last second. Instead, it’s a decision on whether to extend right guard Trey Smith to a long-term contract. The team will have to make a tough choice either way.

If the Chiefs offer Smith a multi-year deal, it will likely hamstring them beyond this season. But if Kansas City doesn’t get a contract done before 4 p.m. Eastern time on July 15, Smith will make $23.4 million this season—more than any other guard in the NFL.

Ironically, Smith might end up losing out on long-term money because of the man he’s paid to protect. Mahomes has a cap hit of $28 million on a base salary of $1.2 million this upcoming season. In 2026, he’ll make $45.3 million in salary, with a $78.2 million cap hit. That’s quite the leap.

Frank Clark Got Traded And May Become Nearly $90 Million Richer Because Of It - 2

Ric Tapia/Getty Images

Smith might end up as an odd man out as the Chiefs consider their financial future. He’ll for sure be in Kansas City this season; the Chiefs used the franchise tag on their star guard, who’s won two Super Bowls with the team since being drafted in 2021. That franchise tag has that steep cost of $23.4 million to lock Smith in for the year.

Earlier this offseason, the Chiefs traded All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears. That could potentially open up room for negotiation with Smith, though Kansas City could also look toward other options that wouldn’t be as costly.

Smith was a sixth-round selection out of Tennessee and has been a key piece in Kansas City’s success over the past half-decade. He’s started in all 67 games he’s played, only missing one contest in four seasons and earning his first Pro Bowl nod last year. He also had a role in the Hallmark Channel movie “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” This movie has a prominent section in the Hallmark Visitors Center, should you ever find yourself in Kansas City.

Will a role in such a film keep Smith around long-term? Likely not, but it’s a fun bit of trivia. In the meantime, he’ll look to help the Chiefs return to the Super Bowl—and hopefully score a big deal in the process.

  • Trey Smith Net Worth
  • To Help Protect Caleb Williams, The Chicago Bears Signed Super Bowl Winner Joe Thuney To An Extension
  • After Holding Out At The Start Of Last Season To Bet On Himself, Chris Jones Just Landed A $160 Million Contract
  • These Are The Ten Highest-Paid Players In The Super Bowl
  • Patrick Mahomes Restructures His Contract — And Sets A Record In The Process
  • Chris Jones Net Worth