The Dallas Cowboys kicked off the 2025 NFL season by making a seismic move. Trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers came with plenty of backlash, even with the Cowboys landing a first-round pick and a bona fide run stopper like Kenny Clark.
Now, things could look even worse from owner/general manager Jerry Jones' end of the deal, given that Clark may not even be on the team next season. At least, he shouldn't, considering the Cowboys' current salary cap situation.
Even with the NFL raising the salary cap, there might not be room for Clark in Arlington. All things considered, moving on from him would probably be the best way to get the offseason rolling for America's Team.
Cowboys-Kenny Clark Split Likely on the Horizon
On paper, adding Clark was just what the Cowboys claimed to need. Jones seemingly said that Parsons wasn't good against the run, and the Green Bay Packers star was a specialist of sorts in that aspect of the game.
Clark went on to play in all 17 games, finishing with 17 solo tackles and three sacks. He also registered 44 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, which was up from the 34 he had in 2024, giving the Cowboys' pass rush some helpful support after losing Parsons.
Still, given his age and contract, he's got to be the odd man out in Arlington.
As things stand now, the Cowboys will commit $63 million to three defensive tackles, with all of them making at least $20 million a year. Moving on from Clark would then save them $21.5 million before March 13 or after June 1, per Spotrac, all without taking any dead money.
The Cowboys can free up nearly $100 million by restructuring wideout CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott's contracts while releasing Clark and safety Malik Hooker, according to OverTheCap. They should still be just fine in the interior of the defensive line with Williams and Osa Odighizuwa, as well as potential additions through free agency and the 2026 NFL draft.
Of course, the Cowboys could also try to find a trade partner for the former Packers star, but that doesn't sound likely. It could be easier to trade him after his $11 million guaranteed bonus is due in mid-March. Conversely, eams know he's likely to be cut, so there's no real incentive to give up anything to get him.
With that in mind, all signs point to Clark's exit from Dallas in the near future leaving time to tell when and how it'll happen.