There's a reunion in the Mile High City between a pair of former Seahawks teammates. Could it add up to a big year for the Denver Broncos?
Nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson and three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Frank Clark were teammates in the Pacific Northwest for four seasons from 2015-18. They were part of three playoff teams for Pete Carroll's Seattle Seahawks.
In 2019, Clark was given the franchise tag by the organization but wound up being dealt to the Kansas City Chiefs. He spent four years with Andy Reid's team and came up big in the postseason with 10.5 sacks in 12 outings. The Chiefs reached the Super Bowl three times over that span and won two Lombardi Trophies. However, Clark was released by the organization this offseason.
Of course, Wilson was part of one of the biggest trades of the 2022 offseason. The Super Bowl XLVIII champion had a rough year in Denver with career lows in completion percentage (60.5) and touchdown passes (16) in 15 outings. The Broncos finished dead last in the NFL in scoring and Wilson finished with 13 of the team's 24 turnovers.
Chiefs: Did Frank Clark hint at Broncos signing months ago?
Today's NFL makes for some interesting reunions as Clark recently signed a one-year deal with the Broncos. However, during the days leading up to the Chiefs' Super Bowl LVII clash with the Eagles four months ago, he was asked about his former Seahawks' team and his troubling 2022 showing.
"The toughest thing watching that is knowing how good Russell is," said the experienced pass rusher (via Chad Jensen of SI.com). "Knowing his leadership skills. Knowing what Russ can bring to the table. But at the end of the day, football is football, and you've got to learn how to adapt to the circumstances. You've got to learn how to adapt to the new surroundings. We all have to learn how to do it.
Clark continued. "Going from being the best to hearing people say, 'Yeah, he's washed up.' How? How is he washed up?" said the eight-year veteran. "How soon can you forget about what a man has done in this league, last year, (or) the year before? But, I mean, we're in the league of 'what have you done lately' type of league…"
It will be interesting to see if the hiring of Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton as well as the free-agent additions of guard Ben Powers and tackle Mike McGlinchey can make life easier for Wilson, who absorbed 55 of the 63 sacks allowed by Denver in 2022. Meanwhile, can Clark and free-agent pick Zach Allen help a pass rush that managed only 36 quarterback traps this season?
Clark isn't wrong. This is certainly a "What have you done lately NFL?" Keep in mind that four of the eight teams that finished last in their division in 2021 reached the playoffs this past season. Hope springs eternal.