The value of Kenny Clark has become a heavily debated topic within the talking circles of the Dallas Cowboys, with analysts and fans alike debating whether his on-field performance justifies his roughly $21 million annual salary. This topic was again at the forefront of our attention when a recent ESPN article by Bill Barnwell fueled the fire by listing Clark as a potential trade candidate to the Cincinnati Bengals for cap relief. The trade consisted of an almost negligible Day 3 pick swap that, for all intents and purposes, was just a way for the Cowboys to save money while still coming away with something.
While moving on from a high-priced veteran is a common offseason theme, the nuances of the Cowboys’ defensive needs suggest that shipping Clark out might be a hasty mistake.
The Cowboys have spent the better part of a decade searching for a solution at nose tackle, often watching their run defense get gashed up the middle. Two years ago, the defense gave up 137 rushing yards per game, the third-worst in the league. Last year, they dropped that total down to 125 yards per game, but it was still bad enough to finish in the bottom 10 of the league.
Despite high draft picks like Mazi Smith and Trysten Hill, the middle has struggled with leverage and has had little to no effect, with the interior remaining a glaring weakness for years. Last season was the first sign of life we’ve seen in a while from the front line, even though the linebacker group did them no favors in helping their run defense. The biggest reasons for the improvement were the acquisitions of Clark and Quinnen Williams.
Williams is a clear cornerstone piece to this defense, but many wonder where Clark fits. From the Cowboys’ perspective, it’s hard not to believe he’s rather important. Jerry Jones has reiterated that Clark’s involvement in the Micah Parsons trade was a critical piece, claiming that it never happens without him. Moving on from Clark so hastily is like throwing away Woody just because you got a new Buzz Lightyear. Shiny new toys are fun, but both are needed for gap integrity and beyond.
Throughout his career, Clark has established himself as a premier interior defender. A three-time Pro Bowler, he has consistently displayed a rare combination of durability and pass-rushing production from the nose tackle spot, appearing in all 17 games for four straight years. Last year, he played 68% of the defensive snaps, coming away with three sacks and 44 pressures. He constantly took on double teams, and his ability to collapse the pocket and maintain gap discipline proved that this veteran big man still had plenty to offer.
Clark’s contribution to the Cowboys’ defense last season was impactful, especially when paired with Williams to form a formidable interior wall. Together, they helped a unit find a semblance of identity. Watching them work together was like seeing a decade-long hole suddenly close up. There were a few moments last year when the run defense was on point.
Defensive tackles are the lifeblood of Christian Parker’s defensive philosophy, which relies on stout interior play to facilitate deception in the secondary. During Parker’s time with the Philadelphia Eagles’ championship run, the trio of Jalen Carter, Milton Williams, and Jordan Davis was instrumental in a Super Bowl-winning campaign. Parker’s system asks linemen to hold at the point of attack, making a player of Clark’s caliber a necessity rather than a luxury. Consistent play from the interior allowed the Eagles to deploy others and do more with less. If you want to build a house that won’t blow down, you generally start with a strong foundation.
The decision on what to do with Clark is complicated by his $21.5 million cap hit for 2026, which includes a steep $11 million roster bonus coming up real soon. He currently projects to have the fifth-largest cap hit on the roster, a figure that is difficult to swallow even for a player of his talent. The Cowboys must choose wisely between securing the strength of their interior line or hoping a reallocation of resources will offer better results.
Ultimately, keeping Clark in Dallas isn’t about stubbornly trying to make the Parsons trade worth it. It’s about finishing what the team started, which is a massive reconstruction in the middle. Shipping off one of your best and most durable players for a measly late-round draft pick provides some cap savings, but it removes one of your better defenders. And for a team that doesn’t have a lot of quality talent to start with, keeping the ones they do have seems like an important strategy.