ESPN's Laura Rutledge had to let Ryan Clark know they were back on air during their recent SportsCenter NFL free agency special, with the former NFL safety caught off guard
11:24 ET, 10 Mar 2026
Laura Rutledge and Ryan Clark were part of ESPN's SportCenter free agency special
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Laura Rutledge and Ryan Clark were part of ESPN's SportCenter free agency special(Image: YouTube/NFL on ESPN)
ESPN host Laura Rutledge had to tell Ryan Clark they were back on air during SportsCenter's free agency special after the former NFL safety was caught off guard.
With the new NFL league year set to get underway on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, teams across the league have been splashing the cash on free agent acquisitions. It has been confirmed that Travis Kelce will return to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 2026 NFL season on a one-year deal that could pay him up to $15 million.
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Other moves saw the Miami Dolphins cut ties with Tua Tagovailoa, who looks set to join the Atlanta Falcons. At the same time, the Denver Broncos re-signed Alex Singleton to a $15.5 million deal just months after he battled testicular cancer.
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Due to the frantic nature of free agency, it can be easy to get caught off guard, as happened to Clark live on-air. The former NFL safety was part of ESPN's free agency coverage, which Rutledge hosted.
However, the latter had to remind Clark that they were back on the air despite the cameras not being on them at the time.
While the ESPN coverage showed a graphic of their 2026 free agent big board, Rutledge had to tell Clark they were "back on TV." The ESPN host said, "Back here on our SportsCenter Special – Ryan, we’re back on TV."
Ryan Clark joined ESPN as an NFL analyst in February 2015
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Ryan Clark joined ESPN as an NFL analyst in February 2015(Image: Getty)
That prompted Clark to apologize quickly, and Rutledge responded, "I’m glad it wasn’t anything worse than that."
It follows criticism ESPN analyst Peter Schrager received for sharing a message he received from a coach about Maxx Crosby's ability to defend the run, something for which the former was vindicated after stats revealed the new Ravens edge is one of the NFL's best run defenders.
Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers leaves the field following a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field on September 15, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Colts 16-10.
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Malik Willis signed a huge deal to join the Miami Dolphins(Image: Getty Images)
While the frenzy surrounding day one of free agency has settled, there are plenty of big-name targets still being courted by NFL teams. Quarterback Kyler Murray, who the Arizona Cardinals released, is the best signal caller left on the open market after the Dolphins inked Malik Willis to a three-year $67.5 million deal.
Alongside Murray, the likes of Trey Hendrickson, Rasheed Walker, Romeo Doubs, and Tariq Woolen all remain free agents.
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Tyler Linderbaum #64 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on before the game against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Tyler Linderbaum has joined the Las Vegas Raiders on a three-year $81 million deal(Image: Getty Images)
The former is the best pass rusher left on the market behind Jaelen Phillips, who signed a monstrous four-year $120 million deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Meanwhile, center Tyler Linderbaum reset the center market by signing a three-year $81 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, while the Indianapolis Colts managed to lock down receiver Alec Pierce to a four-year, $114 million deal, ensuring he stays with the team that drafted him back in 2022.