The Green Bay Packers‘ run defense had their most embarrassing performance since the 2019 NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, where they gave up 285 yards on the ground off of a whopping 42 attempts, when they lost 41-24 to the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday – conceding 307 rushing yards, 216 of which were to former Offensive Player of the Year, Derrick Henry.
The Packers were sans All-Pro Micah Parsons and former first round defensive tackle, Devonte Wyatt, the team’s best edge rusher and interior defensive lineman, but that was hardly an excuse for what unfolded in Week 17.
In light of the collapse, Green Bay may well be casting their eyes into the future to see how the run defense can be improved in 2026, and one name that could make a lot of sense is a familiar face in former nose tackle, Kenny Clark.
Kenny Clark Could Be A Cap Casualty Ahead Of 2026
Clark was sent to the Dallas Cowboys as part of the blockbuster Parsons trade last August, but according to Spotrac editor, Mike Ginnitti, could be a cap casualty for the team this offseason – per The Spotrac Podcast.
“So what happens to Kenny Clark? Thereâs not a guarantee. So you can just move on and free up $21.5 millionâthereâs a huge roster bonus in March, $11 million. This is going to be a March situation.” Ginnitti said on the podcast on December 23rd.
Ginnitti believes that despite having gone in on the defensive line in 2025; acquiring Clark, Quinnen Williams and resigning Oza Odighizuwa, the performance was not up to par. Thus, moving forward, he argues it would make sense for the team to reduce costs on ageing veterans like UCLA alum and focus on drafting and developing talent at the position.
With the mid-season addition of Williams, Clark may also no longer be the team’s starter moving forward, as they may prefer to go with the highly-compensated (and talented) duo of Williams and Odighizuwa.
Could Kenny Clark Reunite With The Packers If Released?
General reasoning would say it makes all the sense in the world. The Packers’ run defense was just exposed massively in Week 17, and the return of Clark in 2026 would pair excellently with emerging three-technique, Devonte Wyatt, who looks to return next year after suffering a season-ending ankle injury on Thanksgiving.
Although the 2026 season has started to look like it could be derailed, both by injuries and poor performances in recent weeks leading into the playoffs, many will expect the Packers to once again contend aggressively in 2026, and the veteran addition of Clark could certainly help that.
Clark retains strong friendships within the organization and the locker room, having spent nine years with the team after being drafted by the franchise at the end of the first round, back in 2016.
And if he is cut by Dallas, his new deal will likely cost far less than the current $21 million he will count for against the cap in 2026 under his current contract, so it should be more affordable for Green Bay, if he does reach the open market this offseason.
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