The safety position is one of the bigger holes for the New York Jets heading into the 2024 season.
The Jets addressed the position in free agency this offseason by re-signing their third-round pick, Ashytn Davis, and former Baltimore Ravens safety Chuck Clark to one-year deals.
Clark was initially traded to the Jets in March of 2023 for a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. His stint with an outstanding Jets defense did not last long as he tore his ACL this past June and missed the entirety of the 2023 season.
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Clark was an outstanding player for the Ravens and played in 17 games in 2022. His ability to stay on the field was a strength, as he played 1,248 consecutive snaps which dated back to week 16 of the 2021 season. With Clark fully healthy, he becomes a major asset and is playing with a chip on his shoulder which should bode well for this all-in team.
Jets safety Chuck Clark motivated to prove doubters wrong in 2024
The ACL injury isn't the only reason why the spark has been re-lit for the six-year vet. He's on a mission to prove to himself and his former team that he has a lot of football left in his system. Clark spoke with reporters Tuesday after the offseason activities and voiced his confidence in an impactful return to the field.
“I mean, I ain’t forgot about that. I’ve still got that chip on my shoulder. But I think going through that injury process, it just gave me a new gratitude and gratefulness for this game. I’ve still got a lot to prove. I missed the whole year."
With a humble but hungry Clark in the fold, he will be a breath of fresh air for a safety room that did produce up to the standards fans would've hoped. He also replaces Jordan Whitehead, who did not play at a high level outside of his 3 interception performance in week 1 versus the Buffalo Bills.
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While he as the inside track to a starting role, Jets head coach Robert Saleh hinted at an open competition at safety between Clark, Davis, Tony Adams and converted cornerback Isaiah Oliver. The starters will likely be determined as the rest of the offseason continues this summer.
Clark brings a physical aspect to his role in the Jets' defense that Whitehead did not. The biggest issue for the Jets' safety position in 2023 was the inefficiency of tackling and yards per target allowed to a skill position. Jetsxfactor.com's, Rivka Boord, provided statistics on the comparison between Clark's 2022 performance in both categories alongside Whitehead's 2023 production. Whitehead's missed tackle rate stood at 18%, with Clark at 6.6%. In terms of yards per target, Whitehead allowed 10.9 and Clark, 6.1.
The disparity between both players is certainly there and Clark bringing this skillset into the mix will be huge. This unit ranked 9th in the NFL last season and has a chance to be much higher in 2024 if Clark's production and health are back to normal.
