Ryan Clark is not among those who are yearning for Aaron Rodgers to be king of the Steelers kingdom.
Clark, the former Pittsburgh safety, went on a wild “Lion King”-themed rant about why the black and gold should not add Rodgers — aka Scar — in the “Circle of Life” that is NFL free agency.
“I think that (Steelers coach) Mike Tomlin can work with anybody. The personality of Mike Tomlin is to find the best in any situation in order to help his team reach its fullest potential,” Clark said on “Get Up” on Wednesday. “Let’s say you put Scar on the team. You know Scar, from the “Mufasa” movies and “Lion King.” Here it is, Mufasa is trying to be Scar’s brother. Do you know what Scar’s name was before Scar? It was Taka. Do you know what Taka meant? Garbage. Wasted. That’s exactly what what could happen if you bring Aaron Rodgers in there. You could have a wasted season. You could have a garbage season.”
As the Steelers and Giants battle it out for Rodgers’ services, Clark is making it clear he does not expect Pittsburgh will be singing “Hakuna Matata” should it add the four-time MVP.
While Rodgers, at his best, represents an upgrade from last year’s Steelers tandem of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, Clark argued that the franchise should “Be Prepared” for Rodgers to clash with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and receivers DK Metcalf and George Pickens.
The latter are known for being feisty, and Rodgers being as demanding of the two as Mufasa was of Simba may not have the playmakers wondering if they can feel the love (tonight).
The two productive receivers may have some issues with a quarterback telling them “do this” and “be there” and “stop that” and prefer to run around all day and do it their ways.
Rodgers called out Mike Williams for running a wrong route last year and had issues getting on the same page with Garrett Wilson.
“You could have a locker room that has to adjust to not only Aaron Rodgers, but Arthur Smith and Aaron Rodgers trying to figure out who’s going to win the battle of what they want the offense to be,” Clark said in his lengthy rant. “We know what Arthur Smith wants. He wants to run the football, he wants to get into play-action pᴀss. That’s not the way Aaron Rodgers likes to play football.
“It looks great that you got DK Metcalf and Georgie Pickens out there, but you got two crashouts. So you gonna have two crashouts at wide receiver and then add the quiet crashout at quarterback? Hell nah.”
These remarks are not the first time Clark has fired sH๏τs at Rodgers, calling him a “fraud” in December while the Jets flamed out like the hyenas in the battle for Pride Rock.
Rodgers ripped commentators who make comments in an attempt to stay relevant.
“The reason you’re getting the opportunity to say these asinine things is because someone is paying you— exactly like the people you’re calling out,” Clark said in response.
He added: “This dude is a fraud. He’s been a fraud. He acts like he’s above everybody and everything.”
There is a moment in “Lion King” where Simba encounter his eventual partner, Nala, after a long layoff and the jovial and loquacious meerkat, Timon, so eloquently sings “Disaster’s in the air.”
The Giants and Steelers are seemingly desparate enough to believe that disaster will not befall them, like it did the Jets, should they sign Rodgers.
Clark provided his stark warning, like when Mufasa told his son to avoid one particular part of their kingdom.
“This is not something I feel in my soul as someone that loves the black and gold. I don’t get all warm and tingly thinking about this,” Clark said. “We going to be like the Pride Lands. You know what the Pride Lands was? That’s where Scar and the Hyenas was. That’s where we going to end up, where the Shadow was cast. Nobody want to be where the shadows at (Mike Greenberg). Timon and Pumbaa ain’t coming to save us. That little bird that runs around (ZaZu), singing whatever song he was singing, mighty king, no. That ain’t it.”