The Dallas Cowboys didn't have much of a choice about Kenny Clark. They knew they had to part ways with Micah Parsons because he wasn't going to sign a new contract, and with their need for an improved run defense, they gladly agreed to take the former Green Bay Packers star.
Of course, Clark wasn't a player of Parson's caliber. He was, however, an experienced defensive tackle with a knack for stopping the run, which was a point of emphasis for team owner/GM Jerry Jones and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Fast forward to today, and he's not giving the team much.
Kenny Clark Has Been a Disappointment Thus Far
Through the first eight weeks of the season, Clark has logged a mediocre 58.9 Pro Football Focus grade. He ranks 68th among 128 eligible players, and that's despite playing the eighth-most snaps (365) among defensive tackles.
Of course, it's hard to blame him for all of the team's defensive miscues. They don't have the talent to be much better than this, and Matt Eberflus has looked way over his head trying to fix this mess all year long.
Even so, Clark did get off to a strong start to the season, which is why watching him get progressively worse over the past three years is quite worrisome. Whether it's by design, a lack of effort, or another indictment of the Cowboys' workplace culture, the fact of the matter is that he's not living up to the expectations.
Clark is signed through the 2027 season. The Cowboys could potentially look to move him if they're not convinced he is a fit by his performances, and given his previous level, a desperate team might be willing to roll the dice on him.
Then again, it's worth wondering why so many good players regress as soon as they take their talents to Arlington. This season alone, former Cowboy Dante Fowler Jr. has failed to make much of an impact after having one of the best seasons of his career in Washington last season.
So far, Clark has logged just 16 total tackles, four QB hits, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. The Cowboys are giving up the third-most rushing yards per game (146.0) and the second-most points per game (31.3), so even though it's still early and they still have a first-round pick to use, it certainly doesn't sound like Jerry Jones won the Micah Parsons trade.