What are the chances Seahawks could still sign Frank Clark to an extension?

Frank Clark is the Seahawks’ designated franchise player, meaning he isn’t hitting unrestricted free agency this season and will be a Seahawk in 2019 unless another team wants to give up two first-round picks to sign him. Clark and the Hawks could still agree on a contract extension, though, and nullify the franchise tag – if they can get it done by a July 15 deadline.

So what are the chances?

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“I’d say it’s probably 50-50 now,” said Albert Breer, NFL reporter for Sports Illustrated’s The MMQB in an interview Tuesday with 710 ESPN Seattle’s Brock and Salk. “(Extensions for top pass-rushers) are going to be difficult to do across the board just because the market changed so drastically when Khalil Mack and Aaron Donald did their deals at $22.5 million and $23.5 million (per year).

“I think someone else’s deal getting done first could help matters, but my sense is that none of these are going to lead to long-term deals before we really get closer to the summer and maybe right until July 15. I would think that some of the difficulty that could be associated with doing these deals could lead actually to a trade or two, although probably not one involving Clark.”

Breer broke the news Monday that the Seahawks had tagged Clark with a non-exclusive franchise tag, which allows the Seahawks to keep him on a one-year deal with a $17.128 million salary. And while players don’t always take kindly to being tagged instead of agreeing to a new deal with long-term security, the Seahawks defensive end appeared to take it as an accomplishment.

Looking forward to what the future holds. Very blessed and thankful. 🤟🏿 pic.twitter.com/71z6eypXTT

— Frank Clark (@TheRealFrankC_) March 5, 2019

Breer explained how big, long-term contracts signed by Chicago’s Mack and the Rams’ Donald last offseason will make it tough for any other teams to sign their franchise-worthy pass-rushers, a list that includes Clark, the Cowboys’ DeMarcus Lawrence, Houston’s Jadeveon Clowney and Kansas City’s Dee Ford, to extensions in 2019.

“I don’t think that anybody’s under the impression that any of these guys are going to get paid like Khalil Mack got paid at $23.5 million (per year), but I think all of them would say, ‘We should be getting fairly close to that number,'” Breer said. “So where is that number at? That’s the thing that’s a little bit difficult to figure out.”

Breer also discussed the Russell Wilson’s contract status, what the Seahawks’ conversation with quarterback prospect Kyler Murray at the NFL combine meant, and the possibility of Seattle being interested in four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Justin Houston, who will reportedly be released by the Chiefs. You can listen to the full segment with Breer in the player embedded in this post or download it in podcast form at this link.

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