For most of “NFL Live” Monday, Ryan Clark was pictured in one of four video squares across the ESPN screen, commenting — as he has for 10 years with the network — on a variety of NFL topics alongside Mina Kimes, Laura Rutledge and Adam Schefter.

But for the final segment, ESPN was down to three.

Clark reportedly found out that he was getting laid off during the show and didn’t continue, according to The Athletic.

It is a seismic move just ahead of a 2026 season that’ll end with the network hosting the Super Bowl for the first time in its history.

Ryan Clark and Jason Kelce on the set of Monday Night Football before the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Atlanta Falcons on September 16th, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

ESPN, the outlet added, was expected to inform Clark of its decision Tuesday, but that changed as a result of media questions regarding his departure and “fear the news would leak” before Clark found out. Pro Football Talk reported that more layoffs “are expected to happen this week,” though the personalities impacted — and how many — remain unknown.

But the first domino was a major one, with Clark, who played 13 years in the NFL before shifting into media, set to be “a large part” of ESPN’s upcoming Super Bowl coverage before the decision, according to The Athletic.

Clark was part of “Monday Night Countdown” for three seasons. Outside of ESPN, he hosts “The Pivot” podcast with fellow former NFLers Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor.

ESPN executives had “soured” on Clark, who The Athletic reported made more than $2 million.

During an episode of “Get Up” in September, as panelists discussed the Cowboys’ season-opening game against the Eagles and the performance of CeeDee Lamb,” Clark told colleague Peter Schrager “that’s the non-player in you” when the latter defended Lamb.

“Don’t belittle me like that,” Schrager said. “I can come and say as three ex-players are saying one thing, and give an alternate perspective.”

Ryan Clark was laid off by ESPN Getty Images

“Peter, what I need for you to do is not get mad and let me finish,” Clark responded, and the confrontation reportedly continued while off the air.

Clark posted an apology on X later in the day. Before he inked his current deal with ESPN in 2024, Clark posted about his last contract being up, about wanting to prove that he was worth more and about needing to make a decision.

Back in early 2015, once his playing career that started as an undrafted free agent ended, Clark joined ESPN as an NFL analyst, and he appeared on a variety of shows throughout the network.

Ryan Clark is being let go by ESPN Getty Images for Fanatics

He was a staple on “NFL Live,” “First Take,” “SportsCenter” and “GetUp.” Just Monday, during his final on-air appearance with the network, Clark discussed Giants running back Cam Skattebo, the Cowboys and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.

“I’m excited to see that Jayden, even with the success of Year 1, going back to some of the basics that got him here,” Clark said to close his answer on Daniels before the network went to a commercial break only Kimes, Rutledge and Schefter remained the next time the separate video squares appeared.