Chiefs cut Anthony Hitchens, next up is Frank Clark’s future

The Kansas City Chiefs cut Anthony Hitchens and Frank Clark’s future is totally up in the air.

With 2022 NFL free agency rapidly approaching, the Kansas City Chiefs made a tough decision on linebacker Anthony Hitchens and may have to do something about defensive end Frank Clark.

The Chiefs cut Hitchens on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in a $4,223,750 dead cap hit for 2022. This is now the largest dead cap hit on the books for the Chiefs. While Kansas City is in the black when it comes to the salary cap, they are the epitome of league average in that department at roughly $11.5 million in available space. What happens if the Chiefs part ways with Clark next?

If the Chiefs want to be big spenders in free agency, they are going to have to cut some players.

Kansas City Chiefs cut Anthony Hitchens: Is Frank Clark the next one to go?

Clark has been a three-time Pro Bowler since arriving in Kansas City. So cutting him would be highly controversial among Chiefs Kingdom. He has been an incredibly productive player, but one whose off-the-field issues often detract from that. Clark has 18.5 sacks in 43 games over the last three years in Kansas City. He will be entering his age-29 season out of Michigan next September.

Clark is on the books for the next two seasons. He accounts for 12.55 percent of the team’s overall cap for 2022. If released, he would be a whopping $12.9 million dead cap hit, but that number goes down to $6.450 million after June 1. Even if cutting him now would save the Chiefs $13.4 million in space and $19.850 million after June 1, restructuring his deal is the better way to go.

Again, since he is still on the good side of 30, that might allow Chiefs general manager Brett Veach to give him an additional year beyond 2023 as a means to spread some of this money out in an extension. He would probably have to backload it, but Veach is a wizard when it comes to working the books. Cutting Clark provides short-term and long-term cap relief, but he is also a Pro Bowler.

The reason Clark’s future is so fascinating is because his contract is less punitive than other players.