Ryan Clark has long been an NFL safety turned analyst known for his insightful commentary and analysis. From slamming head coaches like Bill Belichick and Sean Payton to throwing digs about footballers like Brock Purdy, he offered astute observations and opinions on NFL games, teams, and players.
Clark is now most notable for his journey with ESPN for almost a decade now. He even won a Sports Emmy for “Outstanding Personality/Studio Analyst” in 2023. The network seemingly decided to secure the veteran’s service, as they are rumored to lock him into their roster.
Ryan Clark rumored to sign $2M ESPN deal
Ryan Clark has successfully navigated the free-agent market since his previous contract expired. The gamble of publicly disclosing his free-agent status has proven fruitful, as he is reportedly set to sign a lucrative $2 million deal with ESPN, via USA Today.
The announcement of the veteran’s return to the company came after a period of public speculation and contract negotiations. The Athletic initially reported that the two parties had reached a verbal agreement, and this was later confirmed by the network on Monday afternoon.
The analyst’s journey to this renewed contract wasn’t without its twists. After the Super Bowl, he took to social media to inform fans that his ESPN contract had not been renewed. The disclosure hinted at a potential separation between him and the network.
Ryan Clark shared a hype video during the official announcement to express his enthusiasm for the next chapter of his career. He also provided insights into the negotiations by mentioning disagreements with the network regarding his monetary value.
The cold has come to an end with the recent signing. He is now set to appear in ESPN’s popular shows, including “Get Up,” “The Pat McAfee Show,”, “Monday Night Countdown,” “First Take,” “NFL Live,” and the late edition of “SportsCenter.” He also hosts “Inside the NFL” and is a member of the widely followed Pivot podcast.
How much has Ryan Clark earned in his NFL career?
Ryan Clark’s impressive NFL career not only left a mark on the field but also secured him a substantial financial reward. According to Spotrac, he accumulated a total of $23,591,987 in earnings throughout his more than decade-long journey in the league.
The ex-NFL star’s journey in the NFL was unconventional, as he started as an undrafted free agent. However, his dedication and skill propelled him to a Pro Bowl-caliber career with three different teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Washington Redskins.
The bulk of the veteran’s earnings, a substantial $21 million, came from his tenure with the Steelers. He also clinched a Super Bowl victory with the squad. After his tenure with the Steelers, the former footballer went on to earn $525,000 during a two-year stint with the New York Giants. He later added $2.066 million to his career earnings with a three-year run with the Washington Redskins
Ryan Clark bid farewell to the gridiron with a final flourish, tallying a remarkable 100-tackle season with the Washington Redskins. He formally announced his retirement in 2015 by symbolically returning to the Steelers to retire as a Steeler.
