Buffalo Bills not in the running for DE Frank Clark trade with Seattle Seahawks, per reports

It’s no secret the Buffalo Bills could use an edge rusher, coming off a season where they ranked 26th in sacks. But in the days leading up to the annual NFL Draft, it doesn’t appear Buffalo will be making a move to acquire dynamic defensive end Frank Clark from the Seattle Seahawks.

The Bills were rumored to be interested in Clark back in March, when Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer mentioned Buffalo as a potential landing spot.

That report was quickly refuted by multiple media members, and those rumors have officially been put to rest in a tweet by ESPN’s Jordan Schultz.

Clark, 25, is a talented defensive end who can both set the edge and get after the quarterback. He received the franchise tag from Seattle, meaning Buffalo (or any potential suitor) would need to surrender a first-round pick to get Clark, then would need to hammer out an expensive new contract. For comparison’s sake, Clark is similar in accomplishments and skill sets to defensive end Trey Flowers, who just inked a five-year deal that will pay him $18 million per year.

Clark has recorded 35 sacks in his first four seasons in the league, and is coming off a 2018 campaign that saw him amass 13 sacks with three forced fumbles and one interception. Clark is widely viewed as one of the best up-and-coming pass rushers in the league, and is coming off seasons with ten sacks, nine sacks, and 13 sacks over the last three years.

The Bills have been linked to edge rushers like Clark, Ziggy Ansah, and even Dee Ford during free agency. Buffalo could still turn to the draft for help at defensive end, as Jerry Hughes is entering the final season of his current contract.

Meanwhile, the team has a looming decision over what to do about Shaq Lawson and his fifth-year option, and while the team committed a lot of money to Trent Murphy last offseason, the results (along with Murphy battling injuries) haven’t matched the free agent contract so far.