Jets re-sign safety Chuck Clark, source says

Before the real free-agent frenzy begins in the NFL on Monday, the Jets addressed one of their needs from inside their building.

The Jets re-signed veteran safety Chuck Clark to a one-year deal, a league source said. They acquired Clark, 28, last season in a trade with Baltimore and were excited about adding him to their already strong defense. But Clark tore his ACL in OTAs and didn’t play a single down.

Safety is one of the many positions of need for the Jets with Jordan Whitehead and Ashtyn Davis set to become free agents. Tony Adams, Clark and Jarrick Bernard-Converse, who played only four defensive snaps as a rookie last season, are the only Jets safeties signed for next season.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has said he hopes to bring everyone back from last year’s third-ranked defense. Clark gives them some insurance if they don’t re-sign Whitehead, who hasn’t missed a game in two seasons with the Jets. Adams is slated to start at one safety spot.

Davis has been used more on special teams than defense the past two seasons, but he’s a valuable player with a nose for the ball. He had three interceptions and three fumble recoveries last season.

The Jets acquired Clark for a seventh-round pick last March. He had been extremely durable throughout his NFL career.

Clark missed just two games in his first six NFL seasons. In his last four years with the Ravens, Clark appeared in 65 games and recorded 350 tackles, four interceptions, 29 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and four recoveries. Clark set a career high with 101 tackles in his final season in Baltimore.