What Kenny Clark’s deal could mean for Daron Payne and Washington Football Team
Kenny Clark’s extension could have an impact on Daron Payne and the Washington Football Team.
Any time an NFL player agrees to a record-setting extension, there is a ripple effect throughout the NFL. And one came on Saturday afternoon that could have an impact on the Washington Football Team.
The Green Bay Packers and nose tackle Kenny Clark agreed to an extension that will make him the highest-paid nose tackle in the history of the NFL.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the details of the four-year extension which will be worth $70 million.
The #Packers and NT Kenny Clark have a 4-year extension for $70 million, source said. Deal includes a massive $25.0 signing bonus. Makes him the highest paid NT in league history and the 12th highest paid defensive player in the NFL.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 15, 2020
Of course, the signing bonus there is meant to be $25 million, but no matter how you slice it, this is a big-time deal for Clark and the Packers. And for Washington, this could be a good barometer of what Daron Payne may be worth in the future.
Payne, a 2019 first-round pick, is a couple of years away from a potential extension. But as a player, he profiles similarly to Clark. Both are 6-foot-3 and Payne weighs in just a few pounds heavier than Clark (320 vs. 314). Both are good athletes, though Payne is a bit quicker having run a 4.90 40-yard dash compared to Clark’s 5.06.
Because of these similarities, there is some hope that Payne can develop into a well-rounded player like Clark. Over the past three seasons as a starter, Clark has averaged 57 tackles and 5.5 sacks per season while forcing a total of four fumbles. He has become a great three-down weapon and at just 25 in October, he still has a lot of room for growth. He is well worth the extension Green Bay gave him.
Payne is just two seasons into his career, but he is averaging 56 tackles and 3.5 sacks per season so far. If the 23-year-old can make another leap before the 2020 season, he could rack up more pressures and establish himself as one of the better young defensive tackles in the league. It all depends on how he fits in as a part of Washington’s new 4-3 defense.
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Clark’s extension is merely a blip on the radar right now for Washington. An extension for Payne won’t come up for at least a couple more years, and Washington will likely focus on getting Jonathan Allen, a 2017 first-round pick, a new deal first. But if he continues to develop well, don’t be surprised to see him command a deal like Clark’s in the future.