Robert Saleh Previews Safety Chuck Clark's Impact on New York Jets Defense

The New York Jets haven't signed a safety in free agency, but their unit projects to be better this season. Why is head coach Robert Saleh excited for Chuck Clark?

May 23, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets safety Chuck Clark (23) warms up during OTA s at / Jonathan Jones-USA TODAY Sports

While the New York Jets deliberate bringing back free-agent safety Ashtyn Davis, they can feel confident that – on paper – their starting safeties are better than last season. 

Veteran safety Chuck Clark is back in New York after a season that ended before it could get off the ground. Clark suffered a torn ACL last June, putting New York behind the eight ball in the secondary before the season began.

Tony Adams performed adequately to pick up the slack, and with Jordan Whitehead lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it’ll be Adams and Clark patrolling the back end.

May 23, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets safety Chuck Clark (23) warms up during OTA s at / Jonathan Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Jets head coach Robert Saleh spoke to Eric Allen about Clark’s impact and what to expect from him in 2024.

“The injury was so unfortunate but during OTAs he gave us just a taste of what it’s like to be in his presence,” Saleh said. “And I’m talking about elite, elite character and locker room presence.”

Clark was deployed all over the field during his time with the Baltimore Ravens where he proved to be a swiss-army knife of epic proportions. He played over 100 snaps in the slot, 300 in the box, and 400 at free safety in each of his final three seasons in Baltimore. He’s even logged 272 pass-rushing reps in six seasons.

Clark can do a little bit of everything, from getting his hands dirty to carrying out various coverage responsibilities. Assuming he is fully recovered from the knee injury, he should be able to find success in Saleh’s Cover 4-heavy scheme. It’s worth noting, though, that he’s at his best in the box, where he is a consistent tackler.

Saleh is confident both in his talent and his off-field impact.

“Obviously the football player has already been established in our mind,” Saleh said. “He is a heck of a football player. Incredibly instinctive. He’s got great versatility to him.”

If nothing else, New York’s conservative approach to the secondary in free agency should be a vote of confidence for the veteran, whose return could be the final piece to New York’s elite defense. The Jets made sure to sign him before the legal tampering period, keeping him in green and white before another AFC contender could poach him.

With his strong processing skills and versatile skill set, fans can expect to find Clark around the ball frequently in 2024.