Amid reports of a series of massive layoffs to hit ESPN and Disney, one of the former network’s most prominent on-air analysts has apparently been let go.
Per new reports from The Athletic and NBC Sports, NFL analyst Ryan Clark, best known for his stints on shows like Get Up! and Inside the NFL, was laid off by the network on Monday, July 20.
And the reports claim that the firing happened in surprising fashion – Ryan, 46, was told of his status with the team while in the middle of an evening broadcast, to avoid him discovering the news after media inquiries hit ESPN. There has been no response from the network on the matter thus far.
© Getty ImagesRyan Clark and Peter Schrager’s on-air confrontation
The reports also assert that the network was wary of continuing their $2 million contract with the former NFL safety especially after his confrontation with fellow on-air commentator and Get Up! co-host Peter Schrager.
In September 2025, Peter, 44, and Ryan got into a heated debate following the former’s comments on the relative underperformance of Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb after their season-opening game.
The latter then cut in with: “We shouldn’t do this on TV, and I apologize if this is rude,” before attributing his opinions to the “non-player in you,” which immediately drew Peter’s ire.
“I’m not looking at fantasy football, Ryan, don’t belittle me like that,” he said in response. “I can come in and say, as three ex-players are saying one thing, and give an alternative perspective that maybe CeeDee Lamb did play well,” he continued, referring to the others on the panel.
Ryan then added: “What I need for you to do is not get mad & let me finish for once,” which Peter ceded to before the discussion continued more calmly. The moment drew swift and divisive reactions from viewers at the time, many of whom sided with Peter and reasoned that just because he hadn’t played the game, didn’t render his opinion on it less worthy.
Ryan apologizes for ESPN on-air incident
The former Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl champ responded to the backlash that same night, with a tweet that read: “Today, I had an interaction with my colleague @PSchrags both on and off the air that I regret.”
© Getty Images“I have apologized to Peter and taken accountability with ESPN leadership. I value working with Peter and look forward to this season. My focus will remain on professionalism, teamwork, and being a better teammate moving forward.”
Breaking silence on his ESPN firing
Ryan, for his part, has yet to comment directly on his job status, although has cryptically alluded to the same on both Instagram and X (fka Twitter).
On Tuesday, July 21, he tweeted: “Sending prayers and love to all those laid off today by ESPN. So many of you have poured your life into that company, & I know how you’re feeling right now. My hope is as this door closes another opens for you all. God bless!”
© Getty ImagesHe also responded to criticism of his layoff from fellow analyst Stephen A. Smith with: “My dog.” On Instagram, Ryan posted a collection of workout videos from the day of the apparent firing, and captioned them, in part: “Proof of Life…Before the madness of yesterday, I woke up, got in my Tundra, drove to Planet Fitness, and got to work.”
