The Kenny Clark situation is one of those offseason storylines that quietly carries big implications-not just for the Cowboys, but for the Bengals and even the Packers, who moved him last August in the Micah Parsons trade. Clark was never expected to be a long-term fixture in Dallas.
His contract all but confirmed that: a hefty $21.5 million cash payout due in 2026, none of it guaranteed. That figure ranks seventh among interior defensive linemen and 19th among all defenders this year, per Spotrac.
It’s elite money for a player who’s still solid but no longer in his prime.
That’s where things get interesting.
Clark still has value. He can clog the middle, anchor against the run, and push the pocket in spurts.
But is any team willing to pay north of $21 million for one year of that? That’s a tough sell.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell floated a potential solution: a low-stakes trade that would send Clark and a 2027 seventh-round pick to Cincinnati in exchange for a 2027 sixth-rounder. It’s not flashy, but it’s the kind of move that could quietly benefit all parties involved.
Let’s unpack why.
First, from the Bengals’ perspective, this would be a reunion of sorts. Their current nose tackle, T.J.
Slaton, is also a former Packer, signed last offseason on a two-year, $15.1 million deal. If Cincinnati were to bring in Clark, they’d have the option to move on from Slaton and free up $6.66 million in cap space.
That’s not insignificant for a team looking to retool its defense after finishing 29th in EPA per play against designed runs last season.
And there’s a coaching connection here that can’t be ignored. Bengals defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery was in Green Bay from 2015 to 2023.
He worked with both Clark and Slaton during their time with the Packers, spanning defensive coordinators from Dom Capers to Mike Pettine to Joe Barry. That kind of familiarity matters, especially when you’re bringing in a veteran who needs to hit the ground running.
Now, from Dallas’ side, moving Clark before the third day of the new league year would save them from being on the hook for an $11 million roster bonus. If they’re already leaning toward cutting him, flipping him for even a minor draft upgrade makes sense.
Barnwell suggests Clark could agree to a pay cut-down to the $14 million range-to facilitate a trade. That’s still a big number, but more palatable for a team like Cincinnati that’s desperate for interior help.
Of course, there’s a chance Clark simply waits it out and tests free agency. He might not fetch top-tier money, but he’d have options-and potentially more control over his landing spot.
Still, the Montgomery connection could be a factor. If there’s mutual interest, and Clark is willing to trim his salary, a trade could be a win-win.
And here’s where things loop back to Green Bay.
The Packers are in the market for a starting nose tackle. Their cap situation and compensatory pick strategy make them more likely to shop the cap casualty market than chase big names in free agency.
Both Clark and Slaton have been on the radar for fans and analysts alike. And while the Packers’ coaching staff has changed, there’s still some continuity.
DeMarcus Covington, the lone defensive coach retained between the Jeff Hafley and Jonathan Gannon transitions, worked closely with Clark during the offseason before his trade.
That familiarity could open the door for a reunion-if Clark hits the open market and is open to a return. It’s a long shot, but not out of the question.
At the end of the day, Kenny Clark’s future hinges on one thing: whether a team sees enough value in his experience and production to justify a sizable salary-or whether he’s willing to meet the market halfway. Either way, his next move could quietly reshape the interior of a defensive line, whether it's in Cincinnati, Green Bay, or elsewhere.