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New York Jets News & Rumors

C Connor McGovern Contemplated Retirement Before Jets Reunion

September 12th, 2024 at 4:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

Connor McGovern returned to the Jets yesterday when he inked a practice squad deal. The veteran center thought his career had ended following the knee injury which ended his 2023 campaign, however.

“After I got hurt, I called my wife and was like, ‘Well, that’s it. We’re hanging ’em up,” McGovern said (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini). “If or when this team goes to the playoffs and if I wasn’t helping in some capacity, I’d be pretty disappointed that I didn’t seize any opportunity. I had to come have another ride with this group and be a part of something special.”

McGovern held a starting role at center from his arrival with the Jets in 2020 through the dislocated kneecap which limited him to just seven contests last campaign. The 31-year-old’s agent encouraged him to remain in shape through the offseason, Cimini notes, and it ultimately allowed him to return to New York. 2023 second-rounder Joe Tippmann took over at center after McGovern’s injury, and he remains in place atop the depth chart.

With Wes Schweitzer on injured reserve due to a hand injury, though, McGovern is now in place as the Jets’ backup at the position. Schweitzer will be out for at least the next three weeks and the Missouri alum could take his place on the active roster via gameday elevations. Players can be brought onto the roster via an elevation up to three times, and it would come as no surprise if New York took that route with McGovern.

If Tippmann remains healthy, McGovern will be unlikely to see any playing time in 2024. He will be an experienced option if called upon, however, and any action would add to his 102 career appearances. It remains to be seen if McGovern explores another contract after the season, but for at least the time being he will extend his career over a short span.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/11/24

September 11th, 2024 at 8:02pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Denver Broncos

  • Signed: WR Kaden Davis

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

  • Signed: LB Jackson Sirmon

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Jets Sign C Connor McGovern To Practice Squad

September 11th, 2024 at 5:32pm CST by Ben Levine

Connor McGovern is back in New York. The Jets have added their former starting center to the practice squad, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post. To make room, the team released running back Xazavian Valladay from the p-squad.

The former Broncos fifth-round pick caught on with the Jets in 2020 and proceeded to spend four years with the organization. He started all 55 of his appearances with the Jets, including 2021 and 2022 campaigns where Pro Football Focus graded him as one of the better players at his position.

The veteran re-signed with the Jets last offseason and started the team’s first seven games. However, he suffered a dislocated kneecap in October that ended his season prematurely.

With 2023 second-round pick Joe Tippmann establishing himself as the team’s long-term answer at center, McGovern wasn’t re-signed this offseason. The team has already reversed course, as Wes Schweitzer‘s hand injury opened a spot on the depth chart. The team is currently rolling without a backup center, so it shouldn’t take long for McGovern to earn a promotion to the active roster.

Valladay went undrafted during last year’s draft and had stints with the Texans and Steelers before landing in New York. He spent the majority of his rookie season on New York’s practice squad, and he was destined for a similar role in 2024. Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Valladay could eventually find himself back on the Jets taxi squad, but the team needed the temporary spot for their veteran lineman acquisition.

Jets’ Jeff Ulbrich Confirms 49ers’ DC Inquiry

September 11th, 2024 at 3:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

In making Steve Wilks a one-and-done as 49ers defensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan conducted a search that ended with a Nick Sorensen promotion. The eighth-year San Francisco HC’s unofficial search proved more interesting.

Shanahan reached out to Bill Belichick and attempted to gauge Steve Spagnuolo‘s interest in switching sides in this period’s premier AFC-NFC rivalry. Neither effort proved successful. Belichick is holding out hope for a 2025 HC job, as he conducts a media blitz this season, and the Chiefs extended Spagnuolo days after Super Bowl LVIII. The 49ers also reached out to one of Shanahan’s former Falcons coworkers, showing interest in Jets DC Jeff Ulbrich.

[Offseason In Review: San Francisco 49ers]

A 49ers linebacker from 2000-09, Ulbrich is from the Bay Area and worked with Shanahan from 2015-16 in Atlanta. However, Ulbrich needed permission to conduct an interview with the 49ers. Robert Saleh confirmed (via the San Francisco Chronicle’s Michael Silver) that would not happen.

“I don’t blame him,” Saleh said of Shanahan’s Ulbrich pursuit. “He should ask. The answer was no. But I’d ask, too.”

Ulbrich stayed in Atlanta throughout Dan Quinn‘s tenure, as Shanahan left after the Falcons’ 2016 Super Bowl season. He serves as the Jets’ defensive play-caller, though Saleh certainly operates as the lead defensive voice for the team. The Jets turned a corner on defense in Saleh’s second season, but as QB play played the lead role in dropping the 2022 and ’23 Jet teams under .500, no HC interviews have come. The Jets could not have denied Ulbrich permission to meet about a head coaching job, but since he was under contract for 2024, they could block the request.

“Absolutely honored,” Ulbrich said (via Silver) of Shanahan’s interest. “I have unbelievable, tremendous respect for Kyle, and that organization, and the team they’ve built, and the coaching staff that they have. So, what an honor it was. But at the same time, I am so connected [to the Jets].”

The Jets were not the only team to block a coordinator interview this offseason. The Panthers kept Ejiro Evero from meeting about other DC positions, while the Giants blocked a Seahawks Mike Kafka OC summit. Although Saleh would not let Ulbrich out of his contract, Silver adds the fourth-year Jets DC received an offseason raise.

Shanahan considered promoting Sorensen to replace DeMeco Ryans in 2023, but like Ryans back in his early days on San Francisco’s staff, the veteran HC viewed Sorensen as needing more developmental time. After two seasons with the team, Shanahan deemed Sorensen ready. The 49ers ranked third in scoring defense and fourth in DVOA, but Wilks’ unit struggled in the NFC playoffs. Despite holding the Chiefs without a touchdown — excluding a drive that began at the 49ers’ 16-yard line — that defense could not prevent a game-tying field goal to force overtime and could not hold serve with Kansas City defense in the extra period.

Sorensen, who spent eight seasons on Pete Carroll‘s Seahawks staff, will take a crack at maximizing the talent on the 49ers’ defense. The Jets will hope their offense does enough to complement their Saleh-Ulbrich defensive setup this season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/9/24

September 9th, 2024 at 7:24pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Detroit Lions

New York Giants

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Jets To Sign KR Kene Nwangwu

September 9th, 2024 at 12:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

Not long after a visit with the Jets, Kene Nwangwu has found a new opportunity. The running back/return specialist is signing with New York, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.

This will be a practice squad deal, Pelissero adds. Nwangwu enjoyed success in the return game during his three-year stint with the Vikings to begin his career. He did not survive roster cuts, however, as Minnesota elected to go in another direction on special teams.

That led to the Saints putting in a claim on Nwangwu. The 26-year-old appeared to be in place to handle return duties for New Orleans as a result, but one day later he was waived with an injury designation. Before the end of Week 1, he has now landed another chance to carve out a role. The Jets hosted Nwangwu last week, and that process quickly proved to be worthwhile.

New York dealt undrafted rookie Brandon Codrington to the Bills ahead of the roster cutdown deadline after he had an impressive showing in the return game during the preseason. That move came as little surprise given the presence of Xavier Gipson. The 23-year-old scored a punt return touchdown in Week 1 last year and averaged 23.2 yards per return while running back kickoffs.

Gipson is still in place as the Jets’ primary returner, but Nwangwu will give the team another option in that regard. The latter has scored three kick return touchdowns in his career, and he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2022 for his third phase success. Nwangwu could also serve as backfield depth if needed with the Jets, but any regular action he sees will no doubt primarily come on special teams.

Jets’ D.J. Reed To Test Free Agency In 2025

September 9th, 2024 at 9:49am CST by Adam La Rose

The Jets’ secondary will play a key role in the team’s ability to deliver on expectations in 2024. That unit includes Michael Carter for the foreseeable future, and the same will no doubt be true of Sauce Gardner. Whether or not fellow corner D.J. Reed stays with New York beyond the coming season will not be learned for several months, however.

Reed is a pending free agent as he prepares to play out the final season of his three-year, $33MM contract. That pact has proven to offer solid value from the Jets’ perspective, as the 27-year-old has served as a full-time starter and consistent contributor in coverage. With a Gardner mega-extension looming as early as next spring, though, Reed confirmed he will test the market in March before deciding on his next move.

“I’m going to go to free agency,” the Kansas State product said (via ESPNs Rich Cimini). “I’m focused on just handling my business, taking it one game at a time, ultimately winning, getting to the playoffs, making a push for a Super Bowl run, and then just seeing what happens after that.”

Reed hinted in June that he would wind up in free agency after playing out the 2024 season. As of that point, no extension talks had taken place, and no updates on that front have emerged since. The Carter deal makes him one of three slot corners averaging over $10MM per season, and a new pact for Gardner will move him near or atop the pecking order for outside players. Patrick Surtain and Jalen Ramsey moved the top of that market to (and then slightly beyond) $24MM per year, giving Gardner a target on his extension.

Keeping Carter and Gardner in the fold will make it challenging to also retain Reed. The former fifth-rounder has recorded one interception and one forced fumble during each of his Jets campaigns, adding 21 pass deflections during that time. Reed allowed two touchdowns and nearly identical passer ratings (81.9, 81.6) in coverage across the past two years, and a similar campaign is expected in 2024.

Another steady season would boost Reed’s stock and generate a market of outside suitors. He has expressed a desire to re-sign with the Jets, but that will not happen before he gauges his value as a free agent.

Jets GM Joe Douglas Is In Final Year Of Contract

September 8th, 2024 at 8:19am CST by Rory Parks

Jets general manager Joe Douglas is, like head coach Robert Saleh, widely believed to be on the hot seat this season. Underscoring that reality is the fact that Douglas has just one year remaining on his contract, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports.

Regardless of contractual situation, Douglas’ future with Gang Green would likely be dictated by the club’s performance this season. After all, New York is 27-56 during his time at the helm, and while some of that record can be chalked up to the expected growing pains of a rebuild and poor injury luck, GMs and head coaches generally do not survive too long without at least a playoff appearance.

Douglas signed a six-year deal with the Jets in June 2019, and since that time, he has certainly added plenty of talent to the roster. That includes a celebrated 2022 draft class that featured Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson, and Breece Hall, and the Saleh hire has paid major dividends on the defensive side of the ball: over the past two seasons, New York has finished in the top-four in total defense. 

Still, the long-term success of a franchise will be driven largely by quarterback play, and that is where the Jets have failed. Douglas’ decision to use the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft on Zach Wilson, despite Wilson’s unusual prospect profile, proved to be a disastrous decision that Douglas tried to correct by acquiring then-39-year-old Aaron Rodgers last year. 

The fact that Rodgers suffered a season-ending ankle injury four snaps into the 2023 season, which thrust Wilson back into the starting lineup and torpedoed the fortunes of a seemingly playoff-worthy outfit, essentially gave Douglas and Saleh a reprieve. But owner Woody Johnson made it clear that, while he is not one to issue a “playoffs-or-bust” mandate, he is expecting a strong showing in the upcoming campaign.

“[Douglas and Saleh have] seen me about as mad as I could be with what was going on with the offense particularly,” Johnson said in February. “We’ve got all this talent and we’ve got to deploy talent properly. So I think they all got the message. This is it, this is the time to go. We’ve got to produce this year, we have to produce this year.”

If the Jets do not, in fact, produce, then Douglas and Saleh will likely be seeking new employment, with Douglas’ contract making it even easier for Johnson to make the call on his oft-scrutinized GM. For what it’s worth, Rapoport says that Douglas is comfortable with his lame-duck status, perhaps because he believes he is a healthy Rodgers season away from securing a new deal.

Jets To Place OL Wes Schweitzer On IR

September 7th, 2024 at 11:56am CST by Ben Levine

After missing a significant chunk of his first season in New York, Wes Schweitzer will once again visit injured reserve. The Jets offensive lineman is heading to IR, according to coach Robert Saleh (via Brian Costello of the New York Post).

Schweitzer popped up on Thursday’s injury report with a hand injury. While the severity of the injury is unknown, there’s a good chance the veteran will only have a minimum stay on IR.

After inking a two-year contract with the Jets last offseason, Schweitzer twice landed on IR in 2023 with a calf injury. He was ultimately limited to six games (two starts) during his first season with the squad. In the meantime, Joe Tippmann officially solidified himself as the team’s starting center. Schweitzer is expected to play a backup role in 2024, but that gig will temporarily be held by 2023 UDFA Xavier Newman.

Injuries have been a theme for Schweitzer over the past three years, as he was limited to 18 games during his final two seasons in Washington between 2021 and 2022. Prior to that, the lineman started 54 of his 73 appearances in stints with Washington and Atlanta.

Pro Football Focus generally graded the former sixth-round pick as a middle-of-the-road lineman during his early seasons in the NFL, and the recent injuries haven’t helped his performance. The impending free agent will have to show he’s healthy in 2024 if he hopes to get a gig in 2025.

Latest On Haason Reddick’s Ongoing Holdout

September 7th, 2024 at 9:59am CST by Ben Levine

The Jets will open their season in Santa Clara on Monday night, but don’t expect Haason Reddick to be on the field. The pass rusher’s holdout continues, and while Dianna Russini notes that there has been recent progress in negotiations, The Athletic reporter cautions that Reddick is also willing to “die on this sword.”

While we heard earlier this week that “nothing has changed” in the ongoing saga, Russini writes that there has been recent communication between the Jets and Reddick’s camp. While a resolution isn’t imminent, this is at least a promising step forward for the two sides.

In his pursuit of a new deal, Reddick has been a no-show at team facilities since his introductory press conference in April. Meanwhile, the Jets have refused to discuss a new contract without the veteran in the building. These two stubborn approaches have led to a natural stalemate, but it sounds like both sides are starting to at least mend the relationship.

Russini notes that it’s a “long shot” for Reddick to take the field in Week 1. Robert Saleh confirmed as much this morning, telling reporters that it’s “fair” to say Reddick won’t be in the lineup on Monday. Still, the head coach is hoping his new pass rusher will eventually take the field.

“I’ll stand firm that when he gets here, we’re going to welcome him with open arms,” Saleh said (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini). “We’re going to love him up and he’s going to be a part of this football team and he’s going to help us win a lot of football games. He’s gotta sort through the financial stuff, which is none of my business.”

Even if Reddick does report, a Week 1 appearance would be unlikely considering the short time the Jets would have to acclimate the player into their defense. Russini notes that it’s still uncertain “if he’ll show up after [Week 1] either.” The pass rusher had a chance to swing by Florham Park this past week while attending a charity event in Jersey City. In lockstep with his offseason approach, Reddick decided to skip the impromptu visit, per Russini.

The offseason trade acquisition has already cost himself more than $2MM in non-waivable fines thanks to his holdout, and he’ll start losing $838K game checks assuming he doesn’t take the field anytime soon. The Jets have reportedly been receptive to sweetening Reddick’s Eagles-constructed deal rather than adding term to the contract. If neither side is willing to concede, the recent communications won’t do much to remedy this situation.

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