Good news for Baltimore Ravens fans: safety Chuck Clark should be sticking around for a while after the team recently adjusted his contract.
The Ravens freed up roughly $750,000 in cap space with a restructure of Clark’s contract, giving the longtime defensive leader the pay bump he deserves.
Clark’s future with the franchise was clouded with rumors earlier this summer as the safety reportedly requested a trade after the 2022 NFL Draft.
Baltimore’s secondary got much more crowded with the addition of rookie Kyle Hamilton as well as free agent acquisition Marcus Williams, and Clark was left questioning his role in the defense.
After Week 1, however, Clark appears to remain a pivotal piece of the Ravens’ secondary — the green dot wearer didn’t leave the field and played in 100 percent of defensive snaps.
Ravens adjusted Chuck Clark’s contract to get him bit more this year and added some incentives to his deal. It’s a nod/show of appreciation for how professionally Clark handled difficult situation this offseason. Clark didn’t leave field Sunday and continues to relay def. calls https://t.co/qXL96LWH4c
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 14, 2022
Ravens reward Chuck Clark for his continual leadership and defensive talent in 2022
In Week 1’s victory against the New York Jets, Clark recorded nine tackles and one forced fumble.
Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald more often played Clark closer to the line of scrimmage while Williams and Hamilton served as the deep safeties, and the Ravens’ pass defense as a whole easily contained the Jets’ in-the-air attack.
New York didn’t log a single big yardage play behind the defense, and Clark proved as reliable as ever in both leadership and production.
Moving forward, the Ravens may indeed roll out more three-safety packages to ensure all of their talented defenders are out on the field.
Clark will become an undrafted free agent in 2024, and barring any shocking trades, Baltimore’s pass defense should remain elite with Clark, Williams, and Hamilton working together for the next few years.
The Ravens face a tougher offensive test when they play the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. Let’s see how well Clark and company can contain star phenomenon Tyreek Hill.