ArrowChop: Frank Clark: Will he be gone before the season starts?

Hello again everyone and welcome to another week of the ArrowChop! This is the column where we look at the positives/negatives of a certain Chiefs/NFL issue and look at both sides of the aisle. Then you, the readers, will come to your conclusions after I lay out the case. So sit back, relax, and enjoy as we break down this week’s hot topic.

To think the Frank Clark situation would get worse; Los Angeles prosecutors have now charged Clark with felony weapons possession from a March 13th arrest; the two guns found were loaded, the report stated. This adds on to his other arrest last month where he was found with a submachine gun in his possession in California last month. California’s gun laws are some of the strictest in the country.

If he is convicted, he could serve three years in prison. At this moment, things are not looking good for Clark. With the charge, plus the June arrest, will Clark be on the team before the season starts? Let’s break down both sides of the aisle and find out:

Disclaimer: This is not to talk about whether what Clark did was right or wrong. It’s to debate if he’ll be on the roster or not before the season begins. Moreover, if he is convicted, then, of course, the contract will be terminated.

Clark will be with the Chiefs

This side believes so as such:

Honestly, this side only has one point. If found not guilty and he is cleared on all charges, we will remain on the roster without a doubt. Or, if they work a miracle and he gets a lot less punishment than expected (like community service), then he’d still be around. He may be a bit late to training camp, but that’s a small price to pay instead of losing him for good.

However, even if the punishment is less, Clark will be suspended due to this. The length of games is unknown at this moment, but it will be a decent chunk. I’d say it could be a six-to-eight game suspension.

Again, him staying on the team rides on the fact on if he’s found not guilty, or if he serves barely any jail time/punishment; pretty much a slap on the wrist.

Clark won’t be with the Chiefs

This side believes so as such:

Firstly, if he’s convicted in this time span, then the answer is pretty obvious. No team, especially the Chiefs, wants someone who is a convicted felon and/or criminal on the roster. We can look at what happened with Kareem Hunt (remember that mess). Once the video came out of him attacking a woman in a hotel lobby, Hunt was cut immediately. It’s simple to predict that Veach will do the same with Clark IF FOUND GUILTY. Why pay a guy if he’s not going to be playing for a long time?

Secondly, from an outsider’s perspective, this case looks clean and shut for the worst scenario. He will be serving some sort of penalty (unless a miracle is in the works); he was found with a loaded gun in a state that’s highly strict on gun laws. Now, if guilty, this would force the Chiefs to act and terminate his contract.

If convicted, the Chiefs will cut him, and the Chiefs won’t pay him any of his guaranteed money as there is probably a clause that states that if you are a convicted felon in the time when the contract begins and ends, the contract will be terminated and all money guaranteed after the ruling will not be given to you. That’s contracting 101; no one wants a felon repping their team.

However, even though they won’t have to pay him, the Chiefs will have $20.4 million in dead money due to that contract (ouch). This will take a hit, and basically fan out any other high-money/talent defensive end free agents left on the market unless they take a pay-cut:

Even with Frank Clarks guarantees likely voiding, the #Chiefs still have $20.4M in dead money tied to that contract.

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) July 9, 2021

In Closing

Clark being on the Chiefs or not before the season starts all depends on the fact if he is convicted or not. This is a situation where we have to sit and watch what happens. Hopefully, he’ll be able to come back. He is a clutch performer that comes out with a good play or a solid sack when it matters the most. If he doesn’t, the Chiefs will have to strategize and make a plan for a future without him.

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Do you believe Clark will be on the roster before the season starts? Leave a comment down below to join the discussion, and be sure to follow me on Twitter @HunterStanton8 and @ArrowheadLive. Thanks for reading, and have a fantastic day.