Updated March 31, 2026, 4:32 p.m. ET
The Detroit Lions on Tuesday brought in some veteran depth at safety, signing Chuck Clark.
Clark, 30, entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick in 2017 by the Baltimore Ravens. He remained with the Ravens through the 2022 season before making stops with the New York Jets (2023-24) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2025). Clark has made 80 starts in 123 appearances, collecting 504 tackles (11 for loss), 37 pass deflections, seven forced fumbles (five recovered) and five interceptions.
Last season, Clark played 470 defensive snaps for the Steelers. He was an above-average run defender and allowed 18 catches for 235 yards and two touchdowns while in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. He started in Pittsburgh’s postseason loss to the Houston Texans and had a team-high overall defensive grade from PFF, at 89.1.
Clark, who missed the 2023 season while recovering from a torn ACL, is the third defensive back added to the Lions this offseason, joining Roger McCreary (Los Angeles Rams) and Christian Izien Jr. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). The Lions also retained Rock Ya-Sin, Nick Whiteside and Loren Strickland.
Safeties on Detroit’s roster now include Clark, Izien, Strickland, Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Thomas Harper and Dan Jackson. Avonte Maddox, Jalen Mills and Damontae Kazee, each of whom ended the season with the Lions, are still free agents. Daniel Thomas left for the Cleveland Browns.
Joseph (knee) and Branch (Achilles) are both dealing with injuries. Lions GM Brad Holmes has said multiple times this offseason the team will know more about Joseph’s status in the coming weeks. Branch tore his Achilles in a win over the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 4.
rsilva@detroitnews.com
@rich_silva18
