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Kansas City Defense

Clark going, Jones seeking big money

It's tough to keep a championship team together, as Kansas City is in the process of finding out. I'm not talking about JuJu Smith-Schuster or Clyde Edwards-Helaire; the team can get by without those guys. I'm more thinking about their pass rush.

While Patrick Mahomes and the offense are why Kansas City just won its second Super Bowl in four years, the defense did its part, especially in terms of pass rush. The team's 55 sacks were 2nd-only to Philadelphia, whose 70 led the league. But they have some work to do to get back to those heights next year.

They're releasing Frank Clark (pictured), who was 3rd on the team in sacks (5) a year ago. Carlos Dunlap, whose 4 sacks ranked 5th on the team, is a free agent. Both of those guys are older players, so maybe they'll hang 'em up, or return at a reduced rate in 2023. But for now they gone from the roster.

Then there's tackle Chris Jones, the All-Pro who led the team with 15.5 sacks. He's looking for a new contract that reportedly would make him "at least the 2nd-highest paid player in the league" at his position. That would be behind only Aaron Donald, whose contract averages over $30 million per year.

Presumably KC will work something out with their defensive MVP, but it won't be easy. In any case, given that uncertainty and other departures, it's hard to see this defense again having the league's No. 2 pass rush without some retooling.

Since 2016, when Jones entered the league, only six players have more than his 65 sacks. Clark and Dunlap also show up in the top 40 at the position over that time period. (Data from pro-football-reference.com used in compiling this table.)

NFL SACK LEADERS, 2016-PRESENT
PlayerGSkTFLQBHits
Aaron Donald10683.0120187
T.J. Watt8777.588162
Cameron Jordan11276.5104149
Chandler Jones9976.083146
Myles Garrett8474.577142
Khalil Mack10265.576112
Chris Jones10765.065146
Danielle Hunter8865.077103
Yannick Ngakoue11065.065135
Von Miller8963.583122
Matt Judon11062.582156
Joey Bosa8460.576135
Cameron Heyward10356.577127
Frank Clark10555.563125
Justin Houston9355.564102
DeForest Buckner11253.069140
Mario Addison10552.05473
Robert Quinn9852.05288
Jason Pierre-Paul9651.55887
Carlos Dunlap11151.062133
Calais Campbell10550.570134
Preston Smith11350.059120
Shaquil Barrett9949.062104
Za'Darius Smith9249.061129
Ryan Kerrigan9248.05682
Leonard Floyd10447.554103
Haason Reddick9747.05676
Brandon Graham9846.57897
DeMarcus Lawrence9746.567101
Everson Griffen8045.548108
Denico Autry10144.55982
Nick Bosa5143.056106
Fletcher Cox11043.054110
Markus Golden9643.058118
Bud Dupree8742.55876
Trey Hendrickson7642.03694
Dante Fowler10841.05168
Melvin Ingram10040.55798
J.J. Watt7140.063108

Presuming Jones is back, the pass rush won't be falling off the map or anything. Kansas City also has last year's first-rounder George Karlaftis, who had 6 sacks as a rookie. But something to monitor as the team goes for 2 in a row. Failing to make Jones happy would be a bigger deal than any of the anticipated offensive losses, I think.

--Andy Richardson

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