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As of yet, the Green Bay Packers have not officially picked up the fifth-year option in defensive lineman Kenny Clark’s rookie contract. Still, the team gave its strongest indication that it will during general manager Brian Gutekunst’s Monday press conference.
“I would expect that to happen,” Gutekunst said about Clark’s fifth-year option. “He’s a dominant player on the defensive front.”
A first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Clark has become the Packers’ most reliable player along the defensive line despite his young age (he doesn’t turn 24 until October of this year). Talented ascending players like Clark rarely get away from the team that drafted them, and Green Bay can keep him through the 2020 season for a relative bargain.
In three seasons, Clark has amassed 131 total tackles and 10.5 sacks. According to Pro Football Focus, he has also registered 92 total pressures, the fourth most on the Packers over that span and second among defenders returning to Green Bay for the 2019 season.