ESPN is said to have ended its long-standing relationship with NFL analyst Ryan Clark after a 10+ year stint with the network, per The Athletic. The announcement was said to have been made to Clark while he was on Monday’s edition of NFL Live, and he never got back on the show.
The reported move is part of a larger series of cuts at ESPN and NFL Network. The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reports that Clark was told of the decision ahead of the rest of the job cuts.
The $2 million-plus offer is estimated to have been the annual salary for Clark, who was expected to be playing a big part next year in ESPN’s Super Bowl LXI broadcast.
Report cites previous on-air incident
ESPN executives had grown increasingly worried about some of the things that had happened with Clark, especially an altercation with fellow analyst Peter Schrager when they were on the field during the 2025 NFL season, Marchand said.
In an episode of Get Up, Schrager went on the defensive for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb after the squad’s first loss of the season. This was the non-player in Clark, who replied, “That’s the non-player in you.”
Schrager requested that Clark not denigrate him and mentioned that there were other points of view. “Peter, what I need you to do is not to get mad and let me finish,” replied Clark.
Clark later that day posted an apology on X, stating that he was “sorry” for his on-air and off-air appearance with Schrager.
The incident garnered considerable attention and was an unwanted distraction for ESPN at the start of the NFL season, Marchand’s report said.
Previous contract negotiations were also public
Clark also broke new ground in 2024 by negotiating a new contract with ESPN.
He ended up announcing his contract had been terminated on social media, saying there was a dispute over his worth with the network, but that he would “show up” anyway.
After those talks, he finally signed a new deal with ESPN.
Ryan Clark responds after reported departure
In a tweet on X on Tuesday, Clark shared his support for those impacted by ESPN’s reported layoffs.
“Sending prayers and love to all those laid off today by ESPN. So many of you have poured your life into that company, & I know how you’re feeling right now. My hope is as this door closes another opens for you all. God bless!”
He additionally posted an Instagram video of his own exercise session, saying that he is going to continue to progress without any means of the day’s events.
Ryan Clark’s NFL and broadcasting career
Clark played 13 seasons in the NFL as a safety, most notably with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who he helped win Super Bowl XLIII with, and was selected to the 2011 Pro Bowl.
He retired in 2015 and became an NFL analyst for ESPN. He was a frequent guest on NFL Live, Get Up!, and First Take over the past ten years. In 2022, he will additionally co-create The Pivot Podcast with Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder, which deals with sports and more.
After reportedly leaving ESPN, Clark is believed to be moving on to the next phase of his career as a broadcaster.
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