STEPHEN A. SMITH left Ryan Clark stunned in the studio after suggesting his ESPN colleague should have been interviewed for the Steelers job.

 

 

 

Pittsburgh announced this weekend they had hired Mike McCarthy as their next coach for the 2026 season.

 
ESPN First Take At Clark Atlanta University And Morehouse College
Stephen A. Smith claimed Ryan Clark should have been interviewed for the Steelers job

 
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Former Steelers safety Clark was in the studio during his rant and was visibly stunned

 

 

 

 

Mike Tomlin had stepped down from the role earlier this month after 19 years with the team.

And after ex-Cowboys coach McCarthy was revealed as his successor, Smith went on a rant and questioned why the franchise didn’t speak to Steelers favourite Clark about taking the job.

Smith told First Take: “I’m very upset, going back to the Pittsburgh Steelers, because I want to state for the record – and I’m not joking about this, I’m dead serious – I believe that Ryan Clark should have been interviewed for the job.”

Clark, 46, was present on the show when Smith gave his shock verdict and he looked surprised and embarrassed in the studio.

 

 

 

 

“I believe that Ryan Clark, who I’m looking at right now, should’ve been interviewed for the job,” Smith said.

“Philip Rivers got interviewed by the Buffalo Bills, I’m just saying. You’re the Pittsburgh Steelers, what’s up?

“I know they love RC, I know they know he’s a Steeler for life. I know they pick up the phone and call him and defer to him and ask his advice.

“How come you can’t interview the brother? You gon’ sit up there and bring Mike McCarthy back at 62-years-old.”

Clark responded by joking: “They love RC from a distance.”

Fans were baffled by Smith’s rant as some called it “the worst take ever.”

Dallas Cowboys v Philadelphia Eagles
The Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as their new coach after Mike Tomlin stood down

One said: “This may be @stephenasmith worst take of all time. What a joke of a channel.”

Another wrote: “This take should mean that Stephen A’s football opinions should never be taken seriously.”

A third commented: “This might be it. This might be the worst take in the history of media.”

 

 

 

Former safety Clark is yet to gain experience as a coach since he retired back in 2015.

He spent seven years with the Steelers and helped the team win the Super Bowl in 2009.