The Kansas City Chiefs Hope George Karlaftis Can Replace Frank Clark

During last year’s training camp, defensive end Frank Clark was often seen giving pass rushing tips to then-rookie George Karlaftis.

“I love Frank. He meant the world to me,” Karlaftis said. “He taught me so much that I’ll take not only with me forward as a professional football player but in life too.”

Now the Kansas City Chiefs will look to the second-year Karlaftis to help replace Clark — or at least replace Clark’s impact since the two defensive ends lined up on opposite sides last year — after the veteran signed a one-year contract with the rival Denver Broncos.

According to Adam Schefter, Clark’s deal with the Broncos could reach $7.5 million, and that includes $5.5 million guaranteed in base salary.

That represents a massive pay cut from the five-year, $104 million contract, including $62.3 million guaranteed, that Clark signed with the Chiefs prior to the 2019 season.

After Clark restructured his contract last year to a two-year, $30.2 million deal, the Chiefs released him this offseason.

They did so for a few reasons.

Most significantly, the Chiefs saved about $21 million in salary cap dollars. Plus, his regular-season performance never lived up to the lofty expectations that came with the expensive contract and first-round pick they used to acquire him.

And they also have confidence in the 22-year-old Karlaftis, who started all 17 games and finished with six sacks last year.

Karlaftis’ rookie season got off to a slow start, but he ended the regular season on a tear with 5.5 sacks in his last seven games.

He couldn’t pinpoint a moment where everything clicked, but Karlaftis, who has been working out five days a week while also doing Pilates and yoga this offseason, hopes to ride last year’s late-season momentum into 2023.

“I learned a lot this last season,” Karlaftis said. “And I’m ready to take that with me going forward.”

Karlaftis may have lost the wise counsel of Clark, but he’s been working out with another Chiefs veteran — former Chiefs edge rusher Tamba Hali — on pass rushing technique and jujitsu this offseason.

“He’s been a great mentor,” Karlaftis said.

Hali ranks second in franchise history with 89.5 sacks, which only trails Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas’ 126.5.

Clark is well behind them, ranking 24th with 23.5, but that doesn’t include the postseason, where he played his best.

He is an amazing third place in NFL playoff history with 13.5 sacks, trailing only Willie McGinest (16) and Bruce Smith (14.5).

Having recorded his first and only postseason sack in the AFC Championship Game, Karlaftis has a way to go to reach Clark in that statistical category, but he had one more sack than Clark did during the 2022 regular season.

And he also has help on the way.

After drafting the then-21-year-old Karlaftis in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Chiefs drafted 21-year-0ld defensive end and Kansas City native Felix Anudike-Uzomah in the first round in 2023.

“He’s been great,” Karlaftis said. “He’s going to have a bright future here.”

The Kansas State product, who was limited by a thumb injury during offseason practices, can only hope his rookie year is as successful as Karlaftis’ was.

“It’s been amazing from getting drafted in the first round to the best organization in the league,” Karlaftis said, “and then winning the Super Bowl and going to the White House and everything that comes with that. It’s been a blessing, man.”