ESPN fires analyst Ryan Clark but posts Clark’s take on Isaiah Likely having a Travis Kelce effect on the New York Giants on X (Image via Getty: Ryan Clark​)Negative publicity, probably. Period. “Posting this after just firing him is diabolical,” wrote an X user for an NFL on ESPN post.The post featured Ryan Clark sharing his views during a live Monday broadcast of NFL Live with Adam Schefter, Laura Rutledge, and Mina Kimes in attendance.Clark was apparently let go before the video was shared on X.In the clip, Clark is praising Isaiah Likely. Likely could be a young Travis Kelce for the New York Giants’ offense.Malik Nabers is recovering, and the Giants could divert their attention to Likely.How Likely paired with Mark Andrews in the Baltimore Ravens. He could do the same in New York.Former ESPN analyst Ryan Clark speaks highly of Isaiah Likely “Be very patient with Malik Nabers,” Clark said in the clip.“And I believe Isaiah Likely could be a huge reason why you can be patient.When you think about the way [Likely] was paired with Mark Andrews in Baltimore, he was the guy that gave you the explosive play that could stretch you down the seam.And now with Jaxson Dart to give him an outlet that’s closer to the line of scrimmage, that’s closer to the tackle box.I believe [former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator and current Giants OC] Matt Nagy understands how to utilize a tight end.He could have a young Travis Kelce effect for this New York Giants offense. I believe he is just waiting to be unleashed.You add [tight end] Theo Johnson to that, who is already in New York, who we’ve seen make some athletic plays on the outside.But it could also be an inline blocking tight end along with the 21 personnel [one tight end formation].We could see some of that 12 [two tight-end], and then also incorporating [full back] Patrick Ricard.So, we can get those big packages along with Cam Skattebo that were huge in Baltimore.”The 1-minute-long video went viral on X. It gained 4 million views with 2.4K hearts, 270+ comments, 420+ reposts, and 430+ bookmarks.Cybercitizens commented on it extensively. A post read, “ESPN’s last straw with this dude’s takes.”Another wrote, “Calling Isaiah Likely prime Travis Kelce is grounds for firing.”A user commented, “Adam [Schefter] was looking annoyed he just got the text Ryan Clark is fired hurry up this his last show [face palm emoji]...Adam [Schefter] just got extended a few weeks ago.”Adam Schefter signed multi year contract extension with ESPNAdam Schefter signed a multi-year contract extension with Worldwide Leader in Sports, ESPN; ESPN announced on July 13.The contract keeps Schefter with the network into the 2030s.Apart from his social media presence and news-breaking, Schefter will regularly appear on “Sunday NFL Countdown,” “Monday Night Countdown,”“NFL Live,” “The Pat McAfee Show,” “SportsCenter,” “Get Up,” “First Take,” and the network’s Super Bowl 61 and NFL Draft coverage.“Adam [Schefter] reaches NFL fans wherever they are, on air, on ESPN Digital and on social,” ESPN President of Content Burke Magnus said in a statement.“And that multi-platform instinct is a big part of what makes him so valuable to us.ESPN NFL news has a way of cutting through everything else on the sports calendar, and Adam is a big reason our audience comes to ESPN first when it breaks.His credibility with sources, relentless work ethic and ability to deliver news in real time are second to none.Fans know it, the league knows it, and we know it. We’re thrilled he’ll continue leading our NFL coverage for years to come.”Adam Schefter’s previous deal with ESPN roughly gave him $9 million per year, New York Post reported in 2022.As for Ryan Clark?After parting ways with ESPN, he will continue his media career through his current independent role in The Pivot Podcast,which he hosts alongside co-hosts Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor[we could expect an episode on why he was fired, or how he was fired mid-broadcast, just speculation here],and his hosting role in Inside the NFL [which he joined in Sept. 2023].Now, why was Clark fired from ESPN?Ryan Clark reportedly fired after on and off air incident with Peter SchragerAccording to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, Ryan Clark was making more than $2 million per year in ESPN.He had been with the network for more than a decade. He was slated to be a larger part of ESPN’s Super Bowl LXI coverage in 2027.The network is slated to broadcast the event for the first time in 2027.But The Athletic’s sources said that there had been internal talks since February 2026 that Clark would not return.ESPN executives took issue with his comments to Peter Schrager.On ESPN’s “Get Up” Sept. 2025 segment,Peter Schrager was defending Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb’s performance in an opening night loss, when Clark told him,“We shouldn’t do this on TV, so I apologize if people think this is rude: that’s the non-player in you.”Peter Schrager is not an NFL player. But Clark has played in the NFL.Clark reportedly pointed out that a non-NFL player wouldn’t understand that a team’s result is more crucial than an individual performance.“Oh stop! Don’t belittle me like that,” Schrager responded.“I can come and say, as three ex-players are saying one thing, and give an alternative perspective that maybe CeeDee Lamb did play well.”“What I need for you to do, what I need for you to do, is not get mad and let me finish for once. It wasn’t about you,” Clark said.Who is Peter Schrager? Peter Schrager is a prominent sports journalist, television personality, andfootball analyst who spent 9 years on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football before joining ESPN in April 2025.Ryan Clark NFL backgroundClark went undrafted in 2002. He was signed by the New York Giants in 2002. He played two seasons for them as a safety.Then in 2004 and 2005, he played for the Washington Redskins. Then from 2006 to 2013, he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.Then in 2014, he played for the Washington Redskins. He is a Super Bowl XLIII champion and a one-time Pro Bowler.Over the years, Clark has collected 938 total tackles, 4 sacks, 16 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles.His total career earnings over 13 NFL seasons are $23 million.Clark retired from professional football in February 2015. The same year, he joined ESPN as an NFL analyst.It could come as a shock to everyone if Clark’s firing was linked to comments about Schrager, who came 10 years after Clark’s hiring and had been with the network for only a year...