Packers star sets standard at nose tackle with new deal

Green Bay’s Kenny Clark says he always has wanted to prove the value of nose tackles as complete players.

Now the Packers have given him a contract that showcases that.

The Packers announced Saturday they had signed the 24-year-old to a fouryear contract extension. Clark’s agent, Doug Hendrickson, confirmed an ESPN report that the 2016 first-round draft pick from UCLA agreed to terms on a deal worth $70 million, with a $25 million signing bonus.

The deal makes Clark the highest-paid nose tackle in NFL history and the 12th highest-paid defensive player.

“I’ve just been trying to just, not get out of that (idea that) nose tackle is just a plug. You just plug the gap guy, and all he’s worried about is run,” Clark said. “I’ve just been focused on pass rushing and being able to be an all-around player.”

The signing was announced on the day the Packers conducted their first training camp practice as they try to take the next step after going 13-3 and losing in the NFC title game last year.

Clark has emerged as the Packers’ top defensive lineman. He had six sacks for the second straight season last year and was named to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement.

“Kenny is the epitome of what we’re all about,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “He works hard on a daily basis. He is becoming more of a vocal leader for us, and (I’m) just really happy for him.”

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Clark had 49 quarterback pressures and 43 disruptions to rank second in the league among everyone who played at least 75 percent of their snaps on the interior defensive line.

He has 16½ sacks over his fouryear career, with all of them coming in the past three seasons.

■ Browns: Wide receiver Jarvis Landry is “progressing nicely” from hip surgery and will be worked into team drills over the next few weeks, coach Kevin Stefanski said. The 27-year-old five-time Pro Bowl selection returned from the physically unable to perform list before the start of practices and is ahead of the six- to eight-month timetable he was given in February.

■ 49ers: Coach Kyle Shanahan said wide receiver Deebo Samuel has a chance of playing by Week 1, though he’s “not counting on it.” Samuel enters his second season as the team’s No. 1 wideout but is recovering from June foot surgery. Brandon Aiyuk, a first-round draft pick this year, could enter the season atop the depth chart.

■ COVID-19: Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby and Miami offensive tackle Ereck Flowers were among six players activated from the reserve/ COVID-19 list, leaving 16 on the list. Also, a new saliva-based test, developed by Yale University, could allow the league to test players and coaches more quickly at a lower cost.

■ Texans: Coach Bill O’Brien said it shouldn’t be “too much longer” before wide receiver Kenny Stills is available to practice. The 28-yearold, who was arrested in an April civil rights protest, opened camp on the nonfootball injury list with an undisclosed issue.

■ Falcons: Safety Keanu Neal, who sustained a torn Achilles in Week 3 last season, might be limited at the start of training camp, coach Dan Quinn said. The 25-year-old has missed 28 games the past two seasons because of injuries.

■ Cowboys: Coach Mike McCarthy said rookie wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, the team’s first-round draft pick, will line up on the outside as well as in the slot and will get work as a punt returner.

Kenny Clark