Reports: Seahawks DE Clark could be traded
Seattle Seahawks defensive end and franchise player Frank Clark could be traded leading up to or during the NFL draft this week, according to multiple reports Saturday.
NFL Network reported a deal is "a possibility" and added "several teams" are interested.
ESPN reported the Seahawks are considering trading Clark before the draft begins Thursday, but they would require at least a first-round pick in return.
General manager John Schneider told reporters earlier this week he would listen to any potential trade offers out of due diligence but doesn't intend to deal Clark.
"If we didn't, we wouldn't be doing our job," Schneider said. "We can't ever have our head in the sand with anything. But we love Frank, obviously. That's why we franchised him.''
Fox Sports reported in March that Clark was drawing trade interest from the Buffalo Bills and others, and a separate ESPN report said the New York Jets also have interest.
Previous reports said Clark planned to hold out from team activities absent a long-term extension -- which the sides have until July 15 to negotiate -- but Schneider said he has not gotten that impression.
"That's not my understanding at all,'' Schneider said. "We've had very direct conversations, both myself and Frank and people in the organization and Frank and obviously myself and his agent, Erik Burkhardt.''
Clark, who turns 26 in June, is due $17.1 million on the franchise tag in 2019 and could be seeking more than $20 million annually on a long-term extension. Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who was tagged for the second year in a row, received $21 million annually on an extension signed earlier this month.
Clark posted career highs of 13 sacks and 27 quarterback hits last season while starting all 16 games for the first time in his career. He has 35 sacks and 72 QB hits through 62 games (33 starts) over four seasons since being drafted in the second round by Seattle in 2015.
--Field Level Media
