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ESPN## ESPN analyst and former NFL star Ryan Clark saw his contract with the network end during a taping of 'NFL Live' on Monday afternoon ahead of more layoffs post-merger
19:32 ET, 20 Jul 2026Updated 19:41 ET, 20 Jul 2026
46-year-old former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Ryan Clark has become one of the more recognizable faces on sports television since ESPN hired him in 2015.
The sometimes controversial Clark, who would make frequent appearances on tentpole ESPN shows like 'First Take' and 'SportsCenter,' was on-set Monday for a customary afternoon taping of 'NFL Live.' He filmed multiple segments, including one about tight end Isaiah Likely's role with the New York Giants, which was posted to the NFL on ESPN X account at 5:12 PM.
Before the end of the show, Clark learned he was being let go by his longtime employers. He did not return to the set once he heard the news. It comes after another ESPN star stuck the knife in on Caitlin Clark.
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The Athletic reports that more cuts are expected in ESPN's NFL department after the network acquired NFL Network for $3 billion this February in a swap deal that gave the NFL a stake in ESPN.
Clark signed his most recent extension with ESPN in 2024 for $2 million annually and was widely expected to be part of the network's Super Bowl coverage next year. The safety earned over $23 million throughout his 13-year NFL playing career.
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Clark also gained media recognition for his podcast 'The Pivot,' co-hosted by Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder, with over 1.4 million subscribers on YouTube.
Clark entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent signed by the New York Giants out of LSU in 2002. He joined the Washington Redskins in 2004 and the Steelers in 2006, where he stayed until 2013. He would earn his only Pro Bowl nod and win his lone Super Bowl title while in Pittsburgh. He finished his career with Washington in 2014.
Last September, the ESPN 'Get Up' crew was discussing Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb's key drops in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles after catching seven passes for 110 yards.
Schrager defended Lamb's performance in a comparison with Eagles wideout AJ Brown, who only caught one pass for eight yards in his team's win. Clark used his own playing career — and Schrager's lack thereof — to make his point.
“The thing is this, though. And we shouldn’t do this on TV. So, I apologize if people think this is rude — that’s the non-player in you," Clark told his co-worker.
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The former Steelers player cut off Schrager when he attempted to defend himself. “What I need you to do is to not get mad and let me finish for one,” Clark said. “It wasn’t about you, it was going to be about me. I can’t speak for CeeDee Lamb; I’m speaking for me."
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