Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has often managed to maintain some really cool relationships with his former players. He was lucky to have Ryan Clark on his roster for several seasons, and during that time the two built more than just a player and coach bond. They formed a lasting friendship. Even now, long after Clark’s playing days, the two remain close. Whenever Clark appears on television offering his post-career analysis, he is quick to be honest and tell the truth about Tomlin and the Steelers, often mixing his insights with respect for the man who once coached him.
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Steelers' Ryan Clark gets coached up by Head Coach Mike Tomlin during the Super Bowl.
Recently, Clark visited Latrobe, Pennsylvania to see Tomlin and the Steelers during training camp. While there, the two sat down together for an episode of The Pivot podcast. As soon as the recording began, Tomlin wasted no time in confessing something that had been on his mind. It was a lighthearted admission that showed just how self-aware and personable Tomlin can be when talking to those he trusts.
Tomlin explained that before the Notre Dame Pro Day, he went out to dinner with several players, including Clark’s son Jordan Clark. He laughed as he told Ryan that he kind of felt bad for the rest of the players because he spent almost the entire dinner focused on Jordan. It was a small and funny moment that captured Tomlin’s genuine care for those connected to him, whether they are his former players or the next generation coming up.
"Man, it was so funny to do that night before the Pro Day dinner with him," Tomlin told Ryan Clark on an episode of his The Pivot podcast. "I felt bad because I didn’t give the other kids enough time because me and him were just reminiscing."
Jordan did not hear his name called during the 2025 NFL Draft. The former Fighting Irish defensive back went undrafted but quickly found an opportunity, signing with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent.
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Jets' Jordan Clark gets ready to catch a football during training camp in New York.
He is currently listed as the Jets’ second-string nickelback on the depth chart and will continue battling throughout the preseason in hopes of securing a role in the NFL.
One thing working in Jordan’s favor is the example set by his father, Ryan, who also went undrafted out of LSU in the 2002 NFL Draft. Despite the setback, Ryan went on to carve out an impressive career, becoming a Super Bowl champion, a Pro Bowler and had a 13 year NFL career.
It is clear that Jordan will lean heavily on his father’s guidance as he navigates the challenges of being an undrafted player fighting for a roster spot. With the right mindset, hard work, and a little of his father’s grit, Jordan has a chance to write his own NFL story.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Would Likely Love To Coach Jordan Clark
Tomlin clearly sees Ryan and Jordan as part of his family by now, and it’s really great to hear that side of him. While Jordan fights to earn a roster spot in New York, there was a funny moment during the podcast when Ryan joked about Joey Porter Jr. playing for the Steelers. It wasn’t Ryan recruiting Jordan to Pittsburgh, but it did feel like he was quietly speaking it into existence without actually saying it.
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Steelers' Ryan Clark and Head Coach Mike Tomlin coaching up the team during the offseason.
Tomlin would love the chance to coach Jordan someday. For now, the Steelers’ cornerback room is deep enough, so there isn’t an immediate spot. But maybe in the future, Jordan will follow in his father’s footsteps and suit up in the black and gold. That possibility is exciting for Steelers fans, and it shows how strong the bond is between the Tomlin family and the Clarks. If it happens, it will be another meaningful chapter in that relationship. For now, Steelers fans will enjoy hearing from Tomlin on Clark's podcast.
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