Denver Broncos release veteran Frank Clark after failing to trade him

The Denver Broncos are officially releasing veteran defensive end Frank Clark after failing to find a trade partner that “all sides are comfortable with,” according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The former Chiefs star is now a free agent and free to sign with another new team for the 2023 season.

Clark played in just two games for Denver after he suffered a hip injury in the season opener, tallying two tackles. The Broncos restructured his contract on Thursday, adjusting his $3.5 million base salary down to the minimum of $841,000 for the rest of the season before ultimately releasing him.

Kansas City released Clark in the offseason, saving $21 million against their 2023 salary cap. His initial contract with the Broncos was for one year, up to $7.5 million, which included a $5.5 million guaranteed base salary, $1 million in incentives, and another $1 million in more challenging incentives.

Clark spent the last four seasons with Kansas City after being traded from the Seattle Seahawks in 2019. He was a key difference maker in the Chiefs’ two Super Bowl LIV and LVII wins. He is also a three-time Pro Bowler.

Last season Clark only had five sacks, his lowest total since his rookie year in Seattle. In his career, he has 59.5 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries on his resume, but also notably ranks third all-time in NFL history in postseason sacks with 13.5, only sitting behind Willie McGinest and NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith.

Broncos part ways with Randy Gregory

The Broncos moved on from another defensive end just last week, trading former Cowboys second-rounder Randy Gregory to the San Francisco 49ers. Initially, the story was that they were releasing him, but they ultimately managed to find a trade partner.

The terms of the trade, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, had Denver sending Gregory and a 2024 7th-round pick to the 49ers in exchange for a 2024 6th-round pick. In San Francisco, he joins one of the best defenses — and teams — in the league.

Schefter further reported that San Francisco will pay Gregory the veteran minimum, as he’s still owed millions on his deal from Denver. However, without guaranteed money into the future, Gregory is effectively a rental in San Francisco.

On3’s Kaiden Smith contributed to this report.