Free safety Ryan Clark returns to Pittsburgh Steelers, agent says “it’s not about the money”

( Updated with quotes from Clark’s agent.) The Dolphins search for a free safety continues. Ryan Clark left South Florida this evening without a deal with the Dolphins, rather one with his old team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Agent Joel Turner defended Clark’s decision, saying, “This is one of the first deals in NFL history that wasn’t about the money.” Ryan Clark, shown upending Anthony Fasano in Miami’s season finale, will likely be booed by Dolfans. (Allen Eyestone/The Post) In fact, Turner said Clark left some money on the table to return to the Steelers, who signed him to a four-year deal worth a reported $17 million, including $5 million in the first season. “He did some soul-searching,” Turner said of his client. “He’s entitled to change his mind. It’s his life.” Turner said he understands why some might wonder if he used Bill Parcells and the Dolphins to get Clark a deal with the Steelers. “We didn’t leverage anybody,” Turner said, noting he also represents back-up quarterback Tyler Thigpen, “who will be instrumental to that franchise’s future.” Clark, 30, has a wife and three children back in Pittsburgh and didn’t

want to uproot them to move to South Florida. Clark did speak to Denver TV reporter Josina Anderson of Fox 31. Anderson reported she spoke to Clark before he boarded a flight back to Pittsburgh and he told her, “My plan was to retire a Steeler. It took a little longer than I wanted it to get this deal done. “But I think in the end, both sides got what they wanted.” Turner said he’s OK with the ire of Dolfans. “They pay our bills,” he said. “If they didn’t give a damn something would be wrong. I’m glad they’re going crazy.” In the end, it’s hard blame Clark for wanting to return to a defense with the best front seven in football and play alongside All-Pro Troy Polamalu. Now, the Dolphins will have to turn to another free agent, like St. Louis O.J. Atogwe, or wait until the draft to find someone to fill the void left by Gibril Wilson’s release on Friday.

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Free safety Ryan Clark returns to Pittsburgh Steelers, agent says “it’s not about the money”

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