NFL Rumors: Broncos' Frank Clark to Be Traded or Released After Restructured Contract

Having already dealt away Randy Gregory, the Denver Broncos' fire sale ahead of the trade deadline looks like it will continue with Frank Clark unlikely to be with the team much longer.

Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Clark agreed to restructure his contract by giving up $1.68 million in pay and reducing his base salary to the minimum of $841,000 for the remainder of the season.

ESPN's Field Yates reported Clark's days in Denver "are coming to an end" either via trade or release after he restructured his deal.

The Broncos were set to release Gregory last week just 20 months after signing him to a five-year, $70 million contract in free agency.

The San Francisco 49ers stepped in to acquire Gregory from the Broncos. The two teams also swapped 2024 draft picks with the 49ers sending a sixth-rounder to Denver for a seventh-rounder.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Niners are only paying Gregory the minimum salary for the rest of this season with the Broncos picking up close to $10 million.

Details of that trade certainly opened up the possibility that Denver would be willing to eat a lot of money if it meant acquiring assets and clearing cap space for the future.

Schefter reported on Sunday the Broncos were taking calls about other players on their roster, including wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, and "could be active" leading up to the trade deadline on Oct. 31.

Head coach Sean Payton told reporters this week they're "not looking to do business with any of our players," but they will pick up the phone when opposing teams call.

Clark is a logical trade candidate for the Broncos. He signed a one-year deal as a free agent in June and was unlikely to be a significant part of their future even if he had a successful 2023 season.

Denver is off to a horrendous start in Payton's first season. The team has lost four of its first five games, and the defense ranks last in points allowed per game (36.2) and yards allowed per game (450.6).

Opposing teams have gained at least 388 yards against the Broncos in each of the past four weeks.

Clark has barely been a factor this season. He had two solo tackles in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders, but missed the next three games due to a hip injury. The 30-year-old played 11 snaps in a Week 5 loss to the New York Jets.