49ers projected to strengthen secondary by signing Jets $2M free agent

13 hours ago 1

While a lot of the attention has been on the transformation within the front office, coaching staff and quarterback room for the New York Jets this offseason, they've also seen some significant changes to their safety room as well.

Earlier this offseason, New York lost Ashtyn Davis, who played 22.7% of their snaps in 2024, to the Miami Dolphins in free agency. They also signed former Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andre Cisco to a one-year, $8.5 million deal, agreed to terms with undrafted rookie Dean Clark from Fresno State and drafted Alabama's Malachi Moore in the fourth round (No. 130 overall).

The Jets could see more turnover in the safety group before the season starts, as veteran safety Chuck Clark is still on the market, and Pro Football and Sports Network's Sterling Xie has suggested that the San Francisco 49ers sign him now that the 2025 NFL draft is in the rearview.

Clark, 30, played collegiately at Virginia Tech from 2013-16, appearing in 50 games and recording 298 tackles (15 for a loss), 21 passes defended, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in his four years with the Hokies.

The Baltimore Ravens selected Clark in the sixth round (No. 186 overall) of the 2017 NFL draft and made him a backup and core special teamer to start. He eventually earned a starting job in 2019 and went on to play six total seasons for the Ravens, recording 384 tackles (eight for a loss), 32 passes defended, five interceptions, five forced fumbles, four fumbles recovered and 3.5 sacks.

Baltimore traded Clark to the Jets in 2023, and after he missed his entire first season in New York due to a torn ACL that he suffered in OTAs. He returned last year and recorded 69 tackles, two passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one sack in 12 games before suffering a torn pectoral.

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New York may be willing to move on from Clark, considering they haven't brought him back to this point and have also added three other safeties to the room. However, he's still a veteran who could help.

That's exactly why the 49ers should be interested in his services. They lost Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles to the New York Giants and Talanoa Hufanga to the Denver Broncos. And, while they've brought in Richie Grant, Jason Pinnock and Marques Sigle, they should be holding a competition. Bringing in Clark would just make that battle tougher, and even if he doesn't win the job, he'll push the others and would probably be willing to accept a rotational role after two season-ending injuries in the last two years.