Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark (97) celebrates recovering a fumble by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brandon Allen during the fourth quarter of their game Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The Green Bay Packers are not a team that often gives out third contracts to players. Indeed, aside from their past star quarterbacks Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, very few Packers players have even been approached about signing a third contract. Most are even released before finishing their second contract, if they even get one, in order to save salary cap space.

And so, it was with great surprise last offseason when three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark signed a three-year $64 million extension, his third contract in Green Bay. A first round pick in 2016, Clark is the longest-tenured player on the team and is still just 29 years old (he will turn 30 later this year).

That being said, the Clark Packers fans saw in 2024 was not the one they thought they would see based on his play in 2023, and many were concerned that he was in decline.

Green Bay Packers Pro Bowler Kenny Clark Played Through Injury in 2024

In 2023, Clark made his third career Pro Bowl, racking up a career-high 7.5 sacks while also recording 44 total tackles, three passes deflected, and two forced fumbles. It was easy to see why the Packers were willing to give him a third contract.

But in 2024, Clark did not play nearly to as high a level as he did in almost every other season in his career. His 1.0 sacks last year was his lowest total since his rookie season, as was his 37 total tackles.

Clearly, something was wrong. Many fans thought it was the start of his decline in production, and started to criticize the front office for giving him another contract.

After the season, however, it was revealed that Clark had to have surgery on his toe, which he injured in Week One last year. He played in and started all 17 games despite being in excruciating pain.

Green Bay Packers Defensive Tackle Kenny Clark Is Ready to Play Free

Obviously, Clark’s drop of production in 2024 can easily be attributed to his injury. Now that he is healed, the three-time Pro Bowler believes that he will return to making a bigger impact on the defense as his toe severely limited what he was able to do in the trenches.

According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Clark said last week, “All that stuff is behind me. Yesterday was my first day practicing and didn’t really have no issues. Today, again, had no issues, so I’m feeling great … It’s good not to think about it. I’m not going to lie, yesterday, just having my first practice, you don’t really know what to expect coming back, especially with the foot. Today I felt a lot more comfortable. I’m allowed to play free and be me.”

If Clark is able to return to his 2023 form, Green Bay’s pass rush will be much more consistent, which will lead to more quarterback pressures and sacks, as well as tackles for loss in the backfield.

This, of course, will make the defense even better all around.