When the Green Bay Packers signed Kenny Clark to a four-year, $70 million contract extension in August 2020, the former first-round pick became the highest-paid nose tackle in NFL history and the league's 12th-highest paid defensive player.
But the top-level money hasn't exactly boosted Clark's reputation around the league -- at least to his liking. Despite his strength to face double-teams, versatility in the trenches, and disruptive nature against both the run and pass, Clark believes that he's still being overlooked as an impact defender.
"If I'm honest, I still feel like I'm underrated. I truly believe I'm one of the top defensive tackles in the league," Clark told The Zach Gelb Show on Tuesday. "I still feel like there's a lot of guys who just don't see or watch me play, I don't know. But I still feel like I'm underrated, for sure. Still feel like a couple of guys are sleeping on me.
"For me, I keep on working. I've been having a really great season this year. And as a complete defensive lineman -- stopping the run, rushing the passer, holding the point of attack, getting on blocks -- I've been doing a really good job, and up there with the best of them. So, I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing, and hopefully, everybody will wake up soon."
Clark, who recorded three tackles and forced three quarterback hits in the Packers' 45-30 primetime win over the rival Chicago Bears on Sunday night, ranks third in team sacks (4) and fifth in total tackles (42). His presence has helped turn Green Bay's defense into a dangerous unit, as they happen to rank seventh in the NFL in average points allowed (20.9), sixth in average yards (323.6), and eighth in takeaways (22).
Green Bay (10-3), which now owns the top overall seed in the NFC, will visit the Baltimore Ravens (8-5) in a Week 15 matchup on Sunday. According to FiveThirtyEight projections, the Packers currently have a 45-percent chance to earn the first-round bye and an 18-percent chance to reach Super Bowl 56.
The entire Packers conversation between Clark and Gelb can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow The Zach Gelb Show on Twitter @ZachGelb and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.