Back in January, Dallas converted $11 million of Clark's roster bonus into a signing bonus and added three void years to his deal, a move that dropped his 2026 cap hit from $21.5 million to $12.7 million.
Per ESPN's Todd Archer, the wrinkle in that restructure is that if the Cowboys move on from Clark before the deal runs its course, they'd absorb $8.8 million in dead cap space instead of zero.
Teams don't typically build that kind of financial exposure into a contract for a player they're planning to trade.
Cowboys’ DT Kenny Clark on QB Dak Prescott:
— NFL Talk (@NFL_Talk_Sports) August 14, 2026
"He's the best leader I've been around." pic.twitter.com/lQpQjleyrQ
Schottenheimer has been just as direct. Asked about Clark's deal during a joint practice with the Rams, he didn't hedge at all. "I think we should probably keep that contract," Schottenheimer said, laughing. "I think that was a good contract for us."
The Rumors Persist Anyway
Clark, 30, came to Dallas last summer in the trade that sent Micah Parsons to Green Bay, and his first season with the Cowboys was modest, three sacks and 36 tackles.
Dallas has been aggressive reshaping its defensive line all year regardless, trading Osa Odighizuwa to San Francisco for a third-round pick and signing Otito Ogbonnia as an immediate replacement, plus adding Von Miller and Quinnen Williams on separate deals.
That level of roster churn is likely why Clark's name keeps getting pulled into the speculation, even without any concrete indication from the team that he's actually available.
Trade terms: Cowboys receive DT Kenny Clark and two first-round picks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 28, 2025
