:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66283841/usa_today_13737542.0.jpg)
Since taking over the reigns at GM, Eric DeCosta has seen to it that extending young players on the roster before they hit free agency is a priority. He once again followed through on this strategy this afternoon, this time with SS Chuck Clark.
Clark and the Ravens have agreed upon a three-year contract extension:
The #Ravens signed S Chuck Clark to three-year contract extension worth $19M, source said. He gets $10M in guarantees, as Baltimore keeps taking care of the future now.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 10, 2020
Ravens gave safety Chuck Clark a three-year, $15.3 million extensiion, per source. It now ties Clark to the Ravens for the next four years at $16 million.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 10, 2020
Clark entered his third NFL season as nothing more than a rotational piece in the secondary but quickly was thrust into a starting role following Tony Jefferson’s season-ending knee injury in Week 5. From that point on, Clark played 100% of defensive snaps in all but two games.
He emerged as a consistent impact contributor and took over play-calling duties with the red dot in his helmet. It was quite the task for a 24-year-old with just two games of starting experience under his belt, but Clark took the opportunity and ran with it.
Appearing in all 16 games, Clark led the team in tackles with 68 combined, while also pitching in 3.5 TFL, two forced fumbles, three QB hits and an interception against the Jets in Week 15. He also added 9 defended passes on the year, too. Clark graded out with a 72.8 mark for year, according to PFF.
Beyond the box score, Clark is an extremely intelligent player with a high football IQ. He rarely ever makes the wrong play and did a nice job all season of making sure himself and his teammates were in positions for success.
Per the Ravens official press release, Eric DeCosta had this to say:
“Chuck is a great story about about hard work, patience, preparation and passion. He waited for his chance and seized his opportunity. Chuck’s a good football player, a fine teammate and a respected leader. He’s the type of player we want on our defense for a long time. Congrats to Chuck and his family.”
Between Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Earl Thomas III, Tavon Young and now Chuck Clark, the Ravens secondary is set up nicely for continued success moving forward. All of these guys are signed through 2022 except for Humphrey, who’s due for an extension soon in his own right.
It will be interesting to see if Clark’s new contract has any implications on the future of Tony Jefferson in Baltimore, whose recent instagram post suggests he won’t take a paycut to stay with the Ravens.