Steelers Sign Former Ravens Defender To Address Huge Depth Concern

The Pittsburgh Steelers made the huge decision to part ways with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick when they traded him to the Miami Dolphins. In return, the Steelers received two Pro Bowl players in tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, a bold move by General Manager Omar Khan. While the trade brought star talent to Pittsburgh, it also raised immediate concerns about the future of the safety position.

Juan Thornhill and DeShon Elliott are expected to be the starters, but the bigger issue has been the lack of proven depth behind them. With Fitzpatrick gone, the Steelers’ safety spot looks thinner than it has in years, and many fans have questioned whether Khan has another move in mind. The uncertainty has fueled speculation throughout training camp, especially with the regular season quickly approaching.

On Friday, the Steelers made a smaller but meaningful move by signing former Baltimore Ravens safety Chuck Clark. To make room on the roster, they waived defensive tackle Domenique Davis. Clark brings valuable experience and adds a reliable veteran presence to a group that badly needed reinforcements. It may not be a headline move, but it helps patch one of the team’s most glaring concerns.

Clark’s arrival also brings a level of familiarity with AFC North football that could prove valuable during divisional matchups. Having spent the majority of his career with the Ravens, he knows the tendencies of rival offenses and has experience in high-pressure environments. That kind of insight, even if he’s not a starter, could give the Steelers a subtle edge as they navigate one of the toughest divisions in the league.

Clark, a sixth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, began his career with the Ravens, where he quickly established himself as a reliable and intelligent presence in the secondary. He remained an active contributor for six straight seasons in Baltimore, serving as both a starter and key rotational player. Unfortunately, his career momentum was interrupted in 2023 when he suffered a torn ACL, forcing him to miss the entire season and casting uncertainty over his NFL future.

Despite the setback, Clark made a strong return in 2024 with the New York Jets, where he started 12 games and proved he could still perform at a high level. In those starts, he recorded two pass deflections, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one sack, along with a combined 69 tackles. While he did battle through some injuries that year, Clark demonstrated his toughness and value as a steady, experienced defender capable of contributing in multiple areas.

Steelers Add Respected Veteran Safety For 2025 Season

Although his signing isn’t front-page news, it’s the kind of subtle roster move that could pay dividends for the Steelers over the course of the season. Clark brings veteran leadership, positional versatility, and familiarity with high-level defensive schemes. For a team looking to reinforce its depth behind its starting safeties, adding a player like Clark is a smart, forward-thinking decision that could quietly strengthen the defense in meaningful ways.

Adding Clark is the definition of a small, compounding win. He’s not a player who will generate a lot of headlines, but he’s a respected veteran with plenty of experience. If he can stay healthy, he should be a solid depth piece for Pittsburgh. 

The Steelers' defense for the 2025 season has high expectations. Many are curious to see if they can live up to them. This small move is one that should quietly help. All eyes remain on Khan and the Steelers as the 2025 season gets closer.

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