Kenny Clark Is One Of the Most Underrated Packers Of the 21st Century

Kenny Clark’s nine-year run with the Green Bay Packers came to an end Thursday. The Packers included the veteran defensive tackle, who started 126 of 140 games with 35 sacks, 379 pressures, and three Pro Bowl nods, in the trade package sent to the Dallas Cowboys for three-time All-Pro Micah Parsons.

"We want to thank Kenny for the incredible impact he made in the locker room, on the field and in the community during his nine seasons in Green Bay,” Brian Gutekunst wrote in a statement.

Clark was only 20 when the Packers drafted him in 2016. He appeared in all 16 games as a rookie but started only two. From his second season onward, Clark started at least 13 games each year, playing every game in 2019 and again from 2022 through 2024.

“Kenny Clark, since the day I was hired here, I want to say he was the last guy that was on the roster when I was hired. I know we drafted Elgton (Jenkins) and Rashan (Gary), but I’m really thankful for our time together,” Matt LaFleur

Clark led Green Bay in pressures in two of the last three seasons. However, he was getting his share of praise before the Jordan Love era. Some of it even came from future Packers and NFL first-ballot Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers.

“He is such a solid force inside,” Rodgers said in 2020. “His game has expanded every year. His ability to pass run has been the biggest jump, he has always been really stout at the point of attack in the run game. I think that teams that play him know how dominant he can be.”

Mike McCarthy was another former Packers figure who often praised Clark, particularly for his work ethic.

“Kenny’s been crushing it in the weight room,” McCarthy said during the 2017 offseason. “That’s what you like to see, particularly in that second year. Just the science that’s involved in that, where guys can really make a significant gain in this nine-week program. I look for Kenny to do a lot more as a football player on the field.”

You just wouldn’t hear a bad word about Clark from 1265. Last year, he played all 17 regular-season games and the playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles while dealing with a toe injury he suffered in the season opener in Brazil. Even so, he never used it as an excuse and gave everything he had for his team. That kind of character is rare and invaluable in the NFL and in any profession.

It’s remarkable to think that Clark is entering his 10th year of his career and he’s not even 30 yet. He still has plenty of good football ahead of him, and you’d imagine Packers fans have nothing but positive things to say about him and hope he has a great season in Dallas — except, of course, when the Packers and Cowboys meet in Week 4. There will likely be plenty of hugs and handshakes before and after the game, but once the whistle blows, he’ll have crossed enemy lines.

Kenny Clark truly carried the G on and off the field. I can only speak from my perspective, but I hope he signs a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Green and Gold one day. He deserves that honor.