It does not happen often, but every once in a while, the Green Bay Packers deviate from their usual way of doing business and make a splash transaction that shakes the NFL world. Over 30 years ago, it was signing the best free agent on the market, defensive end Reggie White. The move was unexpected because, up until that point, most free agents avoided Green Bay if they could.
18 years ago, the Packers signed cornerback Charles Woodson, who, like White, won a Defensive Player of the Year Award and cemented himself as a Hall of Fame player during his tenure in Green Bay.
And, on Thursday, the Packers traded two first round picks and three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark to the Dallas Cowboys for four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Micah Parsons.
Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst Speaks Highly of Kenny Clark After Micah Parsons Trade
Clark was the longest-tenured Packers player and the last member of the roster that had been drafted by the late Ted Thompson. A three-time Pro Bowler, Clark will undoubtedly go into the Packers Hall of Fame when his career is over, and many fans had hoped that he would spend the entirety of his career in Green Bay.
But Parsons is a four-time Pro Bowler, having earned the honor in each of his first four NFL seasons. He is just one of two players in NFL history to record 12 or more sacks in each of his first four seasons.
White is the other.
Indeed, trading for Parsons, and then giving him a four-year $188 million contract extension, was the right move as he is one of the NFL’s best defensive players and just entering his prime.
But parting ways with Clark was not an easy decision, and general manager Brian Gutekunst made that abundantly clear in his comments made after the trade.
“We want to thank Kenny for the incredible impact he made in the locker room, on the field and in the community during his nine seasons in Green Bay,” Gutekunst said. “From the time he arrived in 2016, Kenny established himself as one of the top defensive tackles in the league and in the history of this franchise with his production, durability and leadership.
“He had the respect of everyone in the organization and epitomized what it meant to be a Green Bay Packer. Kenny will be greatly missed, and we wish him and his family nothing but the best in the future.”
A defensive tackle, Clark never put up huge sack numbers with Green Bay. However, his 36.0 career sacks rank 16th in franchise history. Additionally, his 140 games played in a Packers uniform rank 32nd.
But as important as Clark was to the team, it cannot be denied that Parsons will have an even bigger impact. He is both younger and a more talented player. This is, of course, not a knock on Green Bay’s former defensive tackle. It is just the reality of the situation.
That being said, the Packers will be hoping that one of their young defensive tackles will be able to fill his role well alongside Devonte Wyatt on the defensive line.
More Green Bay Packers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Fans Blast the Cowboys and Praise the Cowboys After Micah Parsons Trade
- Dez Bryant Crashes Out on Twitter After Packers Trade for Micah Parsons
- NFL Scout Drops Bold Prediction After Packers Trade for Micah Parsons
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
