:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63671170/602999354.0.jpg)
While rumors of a Frank Clark trade had been circulating for more than a month since the Seattle Seahawks applied the franchise tag to Clark in early March, the bombshell still shocked fans of not only the Hawks, but across the league as well when the team actually traded him on Tuesday.
As I’d noted in the comments section of an article at some point, any trade for Clark was likely to take place prior to the draft because of the fact that he had not signed the franchise tag tender. Since the tender remained unsigned, he was technically not under contract with the Hawks, and therefore could not be traded. Thus, any trade of Clark would require Clark to sign the tender, however, Clark had refused to sign the tender until he agreed to terms on a long-term deal.
Thus, in order for any trade of Clark to take place he would have needed to first agree to terms on a deal with the new team and then sign the franchise tender so that he would be under contract and could be traded. Getting that done in the ten minutes that teams have on the clock during the first round seems like a tall order, so the fact the trade took place in the days before the draft makes sense.
In any case, following the trade fans from across the league weighed in on Twitter. Here are just a few of the responses.
Joel Corry just told us he thinks a long term offer was made to Frank Clark by the Seahawks in the area of Danielle Hunters contract with Minny. 5/$72M with $40 M gteed. "You'd have to be an idiot to take that deal."
— Dave “Softy” Mahler (@Softykjr) April 24, 2019
Chiefs: “Kareem Hunt beat a woman we need to cut him”. Also Chiefs: “Frank Clark is available , let’s trade for him”
— Gs MMA (@GsMMA3) April 25, 2019
Demarcus Lawrence talent > Frank Clark's talent
— Jared (@OShowKCJared) April 23, 2019
Demarcus Lawrence contract = Frank Clark's contract
I like the addition from a purely Xs and Os standpoint, but the contract is an overpay and without other teams bidding, it's hard to justify the draft haul too.
Trey Flowers got a bigger contract than Dee Ford who the #Chiefs tagged and traded for a 2nd round pick.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 24, 2019
Trent Brown signed the biggest contract in NFL history for an OL.
Either one would've netted the Pats a 2nd or a 1st.
Frank Clark gave the Seahawks a 1st and 2nd. https://t.co/Kfzaomb5tl
You guys won’t be laughing about this Frank Clark trade in the next 4-5 years..
— Kobe (@KthomasKC) April 25, 2019
#Seahawks Draft day 1
— Sea Shepherd Nana (@Hawknana_) April 24, 2019
We gave away Frank Clark for a second 1st round pick that we all know @PeteCarroll will trade away.
We really need a field goal kicker, which he undervalues. I always watch day 1 even though we haven't used those 1st round picks for years.
12thMan
Everyone is excited about the Frank Clark trade but I’m still hyped out of my mind about Seattle’s brilliant move in addressing the kicker position
— Evan Hill (@EvanonHB) April 24, 2019
@bobfescoe @610SportsKC If you go back pre Ford trade. Take both trades leading to Frank Clark..we essentially moved up in the 2nd round next year, 3rd round this year, and Frank Clark with our 29 pick this year...safe to say we moved up in the 1st round talent wise. FANTASTIC!
— Steve holt (@FUTBsteve) April 24, 2019
I’m pissed at the @Seahawks right now, stupid trade, stupid move and it’s making me lose faith in Snyder! You should’ve never given in to Russ’s timeline. You’re the boss not them, you lost mad respect from fans for that shit. There will not be a @TheRealFrankC_ for awhile
— adam resendez (@rezzy1519) April 24, 2019
It’s crazy how Chiefs fans that are mad about the Frank Clark trade are saying that he isn’t an elite pass rusher but former and current NFL players are saying that he is. I trust the word of a NFL player way more then a fan all day when it comes to opinions about the game.
— Dame Riley (@DametreyRiley) April 24, 2019
Best part of the trade to the Chiefs for Frank Clark -- I have to assume -- is that he'll never have to wear the lime green uniform again.
— Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) April 24, 2019
APPLE link to 4th & 1 podcast finally updated, too: https://t.co/6A73ucRJGB pic.twitter.com/0xiwXQP5E9
Kansas City: We're not ready to give an edge rusher a huge contract extension so we're gonna ship Dee Ford to the Niners for a future pick
— Mike (@karatemanchan37) April 22, 2019
Also Kansas City: Hey Frank Clark has a history of off-field incidents so let's give up a 1st and a 2nd for him and pay him $$$ https://t.co/TZo6KLuQQ1
3. It blows my mind how the Chiefs can cut Kareem Hunt but turn around and trade for Frank Clark while keeping Tyreek Hill on the roster
— Jack (@JsmACK07) April 24, 2019
Glad we got a lot for the Frank Clark trade, but damn. Hawks D is gonna be WEAK this year.
— Special Agent Kyle (@Centurion311) April 25, 2019
Oh, okay. The 49ers got a steal then. Frank Clark is not worth an extra 1st rounder (and likely a bigger contract) vs Dee Ford. https://t.co/hpXzCNXn2V
— Brian Peacock (@BDPeacock) April 23, 2019
I'm kind of surprised how well Seahawks fans have taken the Frank Clark trade.
— John P. Gilbert (@JohnPGilbertNFL) April 25, 2019
I would have expected they would have been more keen to keep a player who once punched Germain Ifedi in the face.
It's only a D- level trade if pick #29 and the late second round pick next year turn out to be high level contributors and Frank Clark doesn't play like he consistently has over the last three years. I'll bank on the known commodity and grade it as an A.
— Austin Goodnight (@AustinG24) April 24, 2019
Between this and the Chiefs absolutely peeing down their own leg with the Frank Clark trade it’s been a great 24 hours
— Mike (@ChiefClassical) April 24, 2019
Bet part of the Frank Clark trade has been all the guys with 500 followers named ChiefsKingdomFanatic72 are back to follow up their “he only kicked her a little bit” Kareem Hunt takes to tell you they dgaf Frank Clark is a shit person
— Draft Influencer Sully (@SullyFootball) April 24, 2019
I feel overjoyed about the Frank Clark trade. Why? 1. We snagged some badly needed draft capital 2. We got some incredibly useful cap room we can use to keep BWagz and Reed 3. I will no longer have to feel like I need to take a shower after rooting for him. #Seahawks #GoHawks
— Ant Ramona w/6 Legs (@DKSB17) April 24, 2019
I don't hate it, but I have seen other @Seahawks draft busts.
— Maximo Huerta (@Maximo_thoughts) April 24, 2019
If that happens, this will be a terrible trade move. Stating the Obvious of course. @TheRealFrankC_ was what we draft for in the first place. Then keep. Yes, he became elite at a time @DangeRussWilson became elite.
I just found out about the Frank Clark trade and holy cow I hate it
— chase (@ChaseOle) April 24, 2019
With the Frank Clark trade, it's time to give Pete Carroll credit for the coach he is. There's WAY more talent leaving Seattle the past few years than coming in, and still they win and still they make the playoffs.
— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) April 24, 2019
Who won the Frank Clark trade?
— PickswiseNFL (@PickswiseNFL) April 24, 2019
If we are keeping it , the @Seahawks absolutely fleeced the @Chiefs in the Frank Clark trade.
— ℳatt ℱroehlich (@Matt_Fra_) April 24, 2019
I thought I would be upset about the Frank Clark trade but watching highlights and hearing Louis Riddick and others talk about him....I am kinda liking it, especially when the 2nd we gave is next years and not this years
— WAITING FOR ZION (@FLY_LIBRA18) April 24, 2019
The more I look at the Frank Clark trade and watch film, the more I suspect that John Schneider believes Clark's success is heavily linked to scheme. If JS truly believed Clark was Mack / Donald level surely he'd have got the deal done #Seahawks #12s pic.twitter.com/VlberuXqQ5
— MJ Īrvîñg ⚔️ (@MJI45) April 24, 2019