The New York Jets are looking to accomplish something they are seldom familiar with; returning to the playoffs. After the excitement last season, the team is eager to reap the rewards of an eventful offseason. Active progress has occurred to improve the offense, but the team’s bread and butter remains their stellar defense. The team made a significant move by trading for former All-Pro linebacker Haason Reddick. Yet, there’s another veteran addition who can make a substantial impact on the secondary. That is veteran safety Chuck Clark.
Jets Secondary Gets Even Stronger With This Returning Safety
Since the arrival of Robert Saleh, the New York Jets have assembled an extraordinary defense. Led by two All-Pro level talents in Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner, fans have been elated at the ascension they have witnessed from their core. The team hopes Jermaine Johnson can take that next step, especially working closely with Haason Reddick in practice. Pairing an imposing front seven with an underrated linebacker trio in Jermaine Sherwood, Qunicy Williams, and CJ Mosley. They are rounded out with the best cornerback duo in football with Gardner and Reed.
But, the secondary needs a strong duo at safety to maintain this unit. Tony Adams is slated as the starting free safety. So who will start at strong safety? Well, that distinction goes to veteran Chuck Clark.
Chuck Clark to start at strong safety
Chuck Clark was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The longtime Virginia Tech Hokie was a fringe top-ten safety in that year’s draft class but fell after failing to improve on his combine grades. However, the fall in the draft was a blessing in disguise. Clark entered the NFL with a great situation for a young defensive back to begin his career. A head coach with John Harbaugh’s experience and teaming with Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson proved a valuable learning source.
A good example of Chuck Clark's tackling as he stops the bleeding on a Tyreek Hill screen
I think he's going to provide a much safer/more secure backbone as the last line of defense. Clark always prefers safe angles instead of taking risks. Keeps everything in front pic.twitter.com/f8NdnsWtQ1
— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) June 11, 2024
Clark worked his way up the depth chart, serving as the third safety behind Weddle and Jefferson before entrenching himself as a starter in 2019. He had a strong season starting 12 games and finishing with 73 total tackles, an interception, and two forced fumbles. He started opposite former Super Bowl Champion & five-time All-Pro Earl Thomas at free safety. What’s significant is the fact Clark was chosen as the primary communicator on defense that season. He emerged as a vocal leader in Baltimore, replacing former teammate CJ Mosley who signed with New York that offseason.
From 2020-2022, Clark started all 49 games in that stretch and recorded 277 total tackles, with three interceptions and three forced fumbles. Alas, Eric DeCosta had other plans for the secondary after adding Kyle Hamilton in the draft and signing Marcus Williams during free agency in 2023. With the writing on the wall, Clark requested a trade. Fortunately for him, former Ravens scout in Jets general manager Joe Douglas knew just how valuable Clark could be. Clark was acquired by New York in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round pick in March of 2023. Clark was expected to start at free safety before a torn ACL in OTAs prematurely ended his season.
Sources: The #Ravens are expected to trade safety Chuck Clark to the #Jets in exchange for late-round draft pick compensation. The starter since 2019, Clark now adds veteran experience to NYJ. It should be official when the league year begins. pic.twitter.com/wglGz3oXA1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2023
How Chuck Clark can help the secondary?
New York has a competition at strong safety after Jordan Whitehead signed a three-year deal to return to Tampa Bay. While Whitehead shined in the three-interception performance vs Buffalo in week one, his performance took a noticeable dip afterward. Despite his production fanning, Whitehead was a valuable asset as a vocal leader in the secondary.
This is where the experience of Chuck Clark’s impact will be highlighted the most. Serving as the communicator in Wink Martindale’s defense is a daunting task but Clark stepped up in Baltimore. He can be someone Sauce and Reed rely on in the huddle. In addition, a healthy Chuck Clark should fit in seamlessly, especially reuniting with former Ravens linebacker CJ Mosley. Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich hope Clark’s presence will do for Sauce and Reed what Mosley has provided for standout linebacker Quincy Williams. The comradery of the veterans on defense will be crucial for New York to maintain this standout production with new faces on the team.
Jets S Chuck Clark on how his Ravens tenure ended and coming back from injury
“I ain’t forgot about that. I’ve still got that chip on my shoulder”
“People like ‘Oh he missed the year, he lost a step’…Yeah alright. Watch”pic.twitter.com/OOvPIFaik9
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) June 4, 2024
New York has a golden opportunity to take advantage of in the AFC this year. The time is now for them to exploit a changing landscape at the conference. The offense leaped forward on paper. If Chuck Clark can add even a minuscule benefit for the secondary, New York can solidify itself as a historic defense this season.
Main Photo: [Jessica Rapfogel] – USA Today Sports
