The Dallas Cowboys have come to terms with defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence on a five-year deal worth $105 million. Lawrence was the first major domino to fall involving several young pass rushers due for new contracts, including Seattle Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark.

With Lawrence making more than $20 million per season, this all but guarantees that number will be where Clark begins his negotiations. While the ability to consistently get after quarterbacks is a critical component for any team — something Clark excels at — this development with Lawrence could change the dynamic in Seattle.

The 5-year, more than $100M deal for #Cowboys pass-rusher DeMarcus Lawrence is good news for #Seahawks DE Frank Clark and #Texans edge Jadeveon Clowney. It almost certainly sets their market above $20M per year. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 5, 2019

The Seahawks have been adamant about including Clark in their plans moving forward, however, with Clark certainly looking to top Lawrence’s number, it’s time they start considering trading their top pass rusher.

This is obviously not the outcome Seattle would have wanted, but it might be the best option at this point. Maintaining a viable roster while paying Clark upwards of $20 million seems untenable, especially considering quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner will be needing extensions as well.

Assuming Wilson is successful in negotiating a contract which pays him $35 million a year, Clark gets a deal paying him $21 million, and Wagner seeks one paying him $15 million — since the 49ers are paying newly added linebacker Kwon Alexander $14.5 million — then the Seahawks would be shelling out at least $71 million a season. Having nearly 38 percent of the cap tied up in three players is not a winning formula in today’s NFL.

Earlier this offseason, the Chiefs traded their star pass rusher Dee Ford to the 49ers. Ford had a breakout year in 2018 with 13 sacks. However, in the previous four years of his career, he had only one other season with double-digit sacks and only two seasons with more than two sacks. Despite only one truly great year, the Chiefs still netted a second-round pick for Ford.

Meanwhile, Clark is coming off his third straight season of at least nine sacks, consistently wreaking havoc along opposing offensive lines. If Ford can earn a team a second round pick with only one great season, then the Seahawks can certainly get at least a second rounder as well, which they do not currently have.

This is a deep defensive draft. Moving Clark to free up cap space and garner more picks to select his replacement appears to be Seattle’s best bet.