The New York Jets are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Aaron Rodgers. Could there also be another standout veteran headed the team’s way?
Current Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers has made his feeling known that he still wants to play football and would like to do that with the New York Jets. There’s a twinge of irony when it comes to veteran signal-caller and his desired destination.
Rodgers and the Packers last appeared and won an NFL title in 2010, defeating the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. That was also the last season the Jets reached the playoffs, having lost at Pittsburgh in the AFC title game.
Back to the present. Brian Costello of the New York Post notes that the Green and White could be looking at a 2022 Pro Bowler who is on the open market and has a connection with a member of the coaching staff. He’s a proven veteran who could certainly help the 31st-ranked offensive line in the league this past season as ranked by Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson.
“One name to watch with Jets in free agency is center Ben Jones,” Costello tweeted. “The former Titan was with new Jets OL coach Keith Carter over last 5 years in Tennessee. Hearing there is interest in a possible reunion.”
The Jets pursuing former Titans center Ben Jones in free agency
Jones was one of many members of the Tennessee Titans released by the franchise this offseason. Monson actually had Mike Vrabel’s club with the worst offensive front in the league this past year, but with this disclaimer:
“The two best players on the Titans line (Ben Jones and Nate Davis) each played in 12 games. Jones allowed one sack and 10 total pressures in those games while finishing with the best PFF run-blocking grade on the line.”
Only three teams in the league scored fewer points than the Jets in 2022. Quarterback play was certainly an issue but so was the instability on the offensive line.
Jones is an 11-year veteran with a lot of experience, having made 151 regular-season starts with the Texans (43) and Titans (108). He’s also been in the opening lineup for a combined 10 postseason contests with those two franchises.
If general manger Joe Douglas and the Jets are able to secure his services, it would be a huge plus for a team as Connor McGovern remains an unsigned free agent. New York has already hired one-time Green Bay assistant Nathaniel Hackett as its new offensive coordinator and signed former Packers’ wideout Allen Lazard. Jones’ history is with Carter, not Rodgers. However, a center of Jones’ caliber is naturally a big plus for any quarterback.