The Green Bay Packers have started mandatory minicamp, one of the final parts of their offseason program before training camp begins in late July. Over the last few weeks, Packers players have been in Green Bay to participate in their organized team activities (OTA’s). Unlike previous seasons, every player has shown up for these voluntary workouts.
The reason for the high level of attendance and participation is obvious: there is better leadership among the players than there has been in past years, and the coaching staff (particularly on defense) has inspired a new culture within the locker room.
For example, quarterback Jordan Love is entering a season in which he is scheduled to be woefully underpaid. While there are contract negotiations going on to extend him, he has decided to participate in practices and be the leader that the Packers need him to be. Other players around the league choose to hold out while their contracts are being negotiated.
As it turns out, Love is not the only star players that the Packers are working on extending.
Kenny Clark Wants to End His Career with the Green Bay Packers
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
During a media session at his locker after practice, three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark revealed that his agents and the Packers have been engaged in contract extension talks for a while. He also stated that it is his desire to spend his entire career in Green Bay:
It’s still ongoing, but they’re talking… I love it here. I love my teammates. I love the organization. Hopefully everything will work out.”#Packers DE Kenny Clark on contract extension talks and how he wants to end his career in Green Bay.
CC: @JohnMillerNBC26 pic.twitter.com/wKhzaowxgG
— Ashley Washburn (@ashleyjwashburn) June 11, 2024
“Yeah, there’s been talks. They’re still ongoing, but they’re talking though. That’s the only thing I really got on that.
He was then asked if Green Bay is where he wanted to be for the rest of his career.
“Oh yeah! 100%. I love it here. I love my teammates, I love the organization. Hopefully everything will work out.”
Clark, a first round pick by the Packers in 2016, is the longest-tenured player on the team and an important part of the team’s current defense and culture.
In the past, many players have expressed their desire to play their entire careers for the Packers, but end up playing elsewhere. Hopefully things work out differently for Clark.
Kenny Clark Has Had a Good Career with the Green Bay Packers
As mentioned, Clark was a first round pick by the Packers in 2016. Recently, he was named PFF’s best number 27 overall pick of the last decade, joining two other Green Bay selections on their list of the best first round picks over the last 10 seasons.
In eight seasons, Clark has been named to the Pro Bowl three times, most recently last year when he had a career-high 7.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits. His 34.0 career sacks rank 15th in franchise history.
This upcoming year, Clark will be playing in a 4-3 defense for the first time. Earlier this offseason, he spoke very highly of new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, and believes that this new scheme is going to suit his game perfectly. Clark believes that he will be able to rack up more sacks and tackles for loss in this scheme than in any others he previously played in.
If that is the case, the Packers would do well to extend him soon because he could become very expensive otherwise.
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!
