Ryan Clark reportedly learned he was being laid off while appearing on ESPN's live edition of "NFL Live" on Monday, abruptly ending a decade-long run with the Sports giant.
Clark had spent most of the program appearing in one of four video boxes alongside Mina Kimes, Laura Rutledge and Adam Schefter. But when the show returned for its final segment, Clark was gone, and only three commentators remained on screen, per the New York Post.
According to The Athletic, ESPN had planned to notify Clark of the decision Tuesday but moved up the timeline after questions about his departure began circulating, and executives feared the news could leak before he was informed.
The move comes ahead of the 2026 NFL season, which will end with ESPN hosting the Super Bowl for the first time in the network's history.
Clark had reportedly been expected to play a significant role in the network's Super Bowl coverage.
Clark joined ESPN in 2015 after a 13-year NFL career that began when he entered the league as an undrafted free agent.
He quickly became a familiar presence across the network, appearing on "NFL Live," "First Take," "SportsCenter" and "Get Up."
He also spent three seasons as part of "Monday Night Countdown." Outside of ESPN, Clark co-hosts "The Pivot" podcast with former NFL players Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor.
The Athletic reported that ESPN executives had grown dissatisfied with Clark, who was said to earn more than $2 million.
A public disagreement with colleague Peter Schrager last September also drew attention.
During a discussion about the Cowboys and CeeDee Lamb, Clark told Schrager, "that's the non-player in you," prompting Schrager to push back.
"Don't belittle me like that," Schrager responded.
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Pro Football Talk reported that additional ESPN layoffs are expected this week, though the number of employees affected and the names involved remain unclear.