Ever since Caitlin Clark was drafted back in 2024, the WNBA has seen a significant rise in viewership and ratings, yet the young guard has still faced insurmountable criticism.
Now in her third professional WNBA season, the 24-year-old guard is still taking heat from those in and around the league. Now, a former NFL offensive guard is stepping up in defense of Clark.
Ex-NFL Lineman Geoff Schwartz Backs Caitlin Clark Amid Latest Backlash
Clark has become well-accustomed to facing backlash, and Geoff Schwartz has made his stance on the criticism quite clear.
“It’s just obvious that ppl covering the league just don’t like Clark,” Schwartz wrote on X. “The standard to which they expect from her is just not attainable and nothing she does will ever be enough.”
It’s just obvious that ppl covering the league just don’t like Clark. The standard to which they expect from her is just not attainable and nothing she does will ever be enough. https://t.co/vPGAr4XLO3
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) July 27, 2026
His statement came after Clark described the narratives and discourse surrounding her as “emotionally exhausting,” only for ESPN’s Monica McNutt to call out the Fever star’s “accountability and self-awareness” immediately after.
As expected, criticism poured in, prompting Schwartz to defend the WNBA icon. This isn’t anything new from Clark; she has faced backlash dating back to her collegiate career at the University of Iowa.
Looking at her 2026 regular season stats thus far, she’s averaging 21.0 points, 7.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 3-pointers per game, while shooting 43.5% from the floor. This has been yet another injury-riddled year for Clark, as she’s grappling with a back injury. She has missed a handful of games throughout this season.
During the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday, Clark logged 17 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 5 3-pointers while shooting 35.3% from the floor.
The Fever is now riding a three-game winning streak after their latest 123-88 victory over the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Their 17-10 overall record lands them first in the Eastern Conference and fifth in the league.
Pushing through the chaos, Clark is currently the second-highest scorer for Indiana, trailing just Kelsey Mitchell with an average of 23.3 points per game. Clark is ranked fourth in rebounds among her teammates, first in assists, and third in steals.
Next up for Clark and the Fever is a clash against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, July 28, at 9:30 p.m. ET at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
