Nick Mangold - Pro Football Rumors

Former Jets C Nick Mangold Passes Away

October 26th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Rory Parks

Former Jets center Nick Mangold, one of the best pivots of his generation, has passed away at the age of 41, the team announced. Just two weeks ago, Mangold said he was battling chronic kidney disease and was in need of a transplant (via Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports).

A first-round pick of the Jets in 2006, Mangold spent his entire 11-year career with Gang Green. His tenure was marked not only by excellent play but by availability, as the Ohio State product suited up for at least 14 games every season from 2006-15. The ankle injury he sustained in 2016, which limited him to eight contests that year, ultimately put an end to his playing days.

Before that, however, he earned seven Pro Bowl nods and two First-Team All-Pro appearances. He was also a key cog in two of the most successful Jets outfits in franchise history, the 2009-10 iterations that journeyed to the AFC Championship Game with Mark Sanchez under center.

In all, Mangold’s career spanned 171 regular season and playoff games (all starts). While his time in the league came to an unceremonious end with a cost-cutting release in 2017, he had solidified his standing as a franchise icon long before that. He signed a one-day contract to retire as a Jet in 2018 and was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2022.

In a statement passed along by ESPN’s Rich Cimini, owner Woody Johnson said, “Nick was more than a legendary center. He was the heartbeat of our offensive line for a decade and a beloved teammate whose leadership and toughness defined an era of Jets football. Off the field, Nick’s wit, warmth, and unwavering loyalty made him a cherished member of our extended Jets family.”

We at PFR offer our condolences to Mangold’s family, friends, and the many coaches and teammates he played with and for during his standout career as a collegian and in the pros.

This Date In Transactions History: Jets Release Nick Mangold

February 25th, 2022 at 10:00pm CST by Zachary Links

After eleven seasons, Nick Mangold‘s time with the Jets came to an end. On this date in 2017, Gang Green released the veteran center to save roughly $9MM against the cap.

Mangold played in a career-low eight games the previous year and had no guaranteed dollars to go on his deal. It was supposed to be the final year of Mangold’s seven-year Jets contract. He was a standout, a fan favorite, and he was synonymous with the organization for over a decade. However, the Jets were one of the league’s most cap-strapped teams at the time.

A two-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, Mangold started all 164 games in which he played for the Jets. Mangold said he’d continue playing after rehabbing from the ankle injury that hampered his 2016 season. Unfortunately, the issue lingered. Contenders like the Ravens could have used Mangold, but he wasn’t able to answer the call.

The Jets turned the job over to backup Wesley Johnson, who would find himself with the rival Dolphins one year later. Mangold, meanwhile, inked a one-day contract to retire with the Jets in 2018. Ultimately, the beloved center was unable to bounce back at the age of 34.

“Everything that happened from pee-wee football to high school football to having the good fortune to play at The Ohio State University molded me for my opportunity to play for the New York Jets,” said Mangold. “In my 11 years as a Jet, there were plenty of ups and downs but, through it all, I wanted to be the Steady Eddie. I wanted to be the guy that other guys looked at to see how it was done. I learned this attribute from the vets that I played with.”

“My biggest regret is not bringing the Lombardi Trophy to New York but, as I retire, I will continue my efforts to bring the Trophy home in a different capacity. I have no idea what that capacity is but I’m sure I will figure something out in the future.”

This Date In Transactions History: Jets Release Nick Mangold

February 25th, 2021 at 10:14am CST by Zachary Links

After eleven seasons, Nick Mangold‘s time with the Jets came to an end. On this date in 2017, Gang Green released the veteran center to save roughly $9MM against the cap.

Mangold played in a career-low eight games the previous year and had no guaranteed dollars to go on his deal. It was supposed to be the final year of Mangold’s seven-year Jets contract. He was a standout, a fan favorite, and he was synonymous with the organization for over a decade. However, the Jets were one of the league’s most cap-strapped teams at the time.

A two-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, Mangold started all 164 games in which he played for the Jets. Mangold said he’d continue playing after rehabbing from the ankle injury that hampered his 2016 season. Unfortunately, the issue lingered. Contenders like the Ravens could have used Mangold, but he wasn’t able to answer the cll.

The Jets turned the job over to backup Wesley Johnson, who would find himself with the rival Dolphins one year later. Mangold, meanwhile, inked a one-day contract to retire with the Jets in 2018. Ultimately, the beloved center was unable to bounce back at the age of 34.

“Everything that happened from pee-wee football to high school football to having the good fortune to play at The Ohio State University molded me for my opportunity to play for the New York Jets,” said Mangold. “In my 11 years as a Jet, there were plenty of ups and downs but, through it all, I wanted to be the Steady Eddie. I wanted to be the guy that other guys looked at to see how it was done. I learned this attribute from the vets that I played with.”

“My biggest regret is not bringing the Lombardi Trophy to New York but, as I retire, I will continue my efforts to bring the Trophy home in a different capacity. I have no idea what that capacity is but I’m sure I will figure something out in the future.”

Former Jets C Nick Mangold Retires

April 17th, 2018 at 10:37am CST by Zachary Links

Nick Mangold is officially done with football. On Tuesday, Mangold announced that he will be signing a one-day contract with the Jets in order to officially retire with the team.

“Everything that happened from pee-wee football to high school football to having the good fortune to play at The Ohio State University molded me for my opportunity to play for the New York Jets,” said Mangold. “In my 11 years as a Jet, there were plenty of ups and downs but, through it all, I wanted to be the Steady Eddie. I wanted to be the guy that other guys looked at to see how it was done. I learned this attribute from the vets that I played with.

“My biggest regret is not bringing the Lombardi Trophy to New York but, as I retire, I will continue my efforts to bring the Trophy home in a different capacity. I have no idea what that capacity is but I’m sure I will figure something out in the future.”

Mangold, 34, played for the Jets from 2006 through 2016. In March of 2017, the Jets released him in the midst of a house-cleaning that saw several high-priced vets bounced out of New York. He spent all of last year out of football as he healed up from a foot injury and he indicated earlier this year that he might try to return to the game. At the same time, he has made tons of money over the course of his playing career, so he is able to comfortably walk away from the NFL and in order to spend more time with his family.

Nick Mangold Not Considering Politics

February 8th, 2018 at 1:36pm CST by Zachary Links

Nick Mangold is not closing the door on his football career but he is saying no to a political career for the time being. Despite speculation to the contrary, the former Jets says he is not mulling a run for a congressional seat (Twitter link).

“I am not running for Congress,” Mangold wrote. “While it would be an amazing opportunity and honor to serve the people of New Jersey’s District 11, I am not at a place where I could commit to that.”

On Thursday, Essex County Republican Chairman Al Barlas told Matt Friedman of Politico that a career in politics was in consideration for Mangold.

“I had a conversation with him. He’s intrigued by the idea. He has to think it over and talk with his wife,” Barlas said. “After an 11-year playing career and a college career, he’s enjoying being at home with his wife and kids.“

Mangold, 34, played for the Jets from 2006 through 2016. In March of 2017, the Jets released him in the midst of a house-cleaning that saw several high-priced vets bounced out of New York. He spent all of last year out of football as he healed up from a foot injury and he is probably in better position to play today than he was six months ago. At the same time, he has made upwards of $20MM over the course of his playing career, so he could comfortably walk away from the NFL if he wants.

AFC East Notes: Jets, Mangold, Patriots

February 2nd, 2018 at 1:33pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Jets center Nick Mangold was out of football in 2017, but he hasn’t ruled out a return to the field next season, as Bob Glauber of Newsday writes.

“I’m kind of not closing the door, but I’m not actively searching for anything right now,” said Mangold on Radio Row in advance of the Super Bowl.

Mangold, 34, stayed at home as he dealt with a foot injury suffered during the 2016 season. He told ESPN Radio (Twitter link) that he was never healthy last season, but during his Radio Row trip, he indicated that he could have played at some point in the late fall.

“Maybe midseason, but by that point, it’s the middle of the season, you’ve missed the whole offseason when you get to know people,” he said. “[The foot] still wasn’t right. It was one of those things where I probably could have gone out there and played, but I wouldn’t be playing up to my standards. I wouldn’t want to go out there stealing checks, so that’s why I didn’t go for it, because I wouldn’t have been playing at my level.”

Here’s more from the AFC East:

The Jay Ajayi trade looks a loss for the Dolphins right now, but the team can learn some valuable lessons from the way things played out, Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald writes. The Dolphins are a passing-centric team, which didn’t sit right with Ajayi and meant that a divorce was probably inevitable. However, the Dolphins would have been better served by waiting until the season was over to trade Ajayi, giving them a wider range of suitors to work with, Salguero opines. The Eagles are certainly happy with Miami’s decision to deal the running back for a late fourth-round pick – Ajayi averaged 5.8 yards per carry for Philadelphia in his seven regular season games with the team.
Super Bowl LII doesn’t feel like the end of the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era of the Patriots, but they are likely to lose well-respected offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia to retirement, Peter King of The MMQB (video link, on Twitter) says. It sounds like the Patriots will have to recast four of the main players on the coaching staff this season – offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, special teams coach Joe Judge, and Scarnecchia.
On Thursday, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell indicated that he is not interested in joining the Jets in free agency. Of course, it’s unlikely that Bell reaches unrestricted free agency anyway.

Nick Mangold: I’m Still Not Healthy

October 3rd, 2017 at 3:55pm CST by Zachary Links

When the Jets released center Nick Mangold this offseason, it seemed likely that he would hook on elsewhere and continue his career. Months later, Mangold doesn’t sound so sure about whether he wants to continue playing.

“Maybe there’s more to (my career), maybe there isn’t,” the seven-time Pro Bowler told SNY (transcription via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini).

Mangold added that his injured foot still isn’t healed, and he didn’t want to “steal checks” this season. If Mangold does return to the NFL, it sounds like it won’t happen until 2018 at the earliest.

The veteran seemed like a natural fit for the Ravens this offseason given all of their injuries on the offensive line, but a deal never came together. He was also connected to the Dolphins as Mike Pouncey struggled to stay healthy, but Miami did not show any real interest.

Mangold, 34 in January, missed half of the 2016 season. Before that, however, he missed just four regular season Jets games over the previous nine seasons. Mangold was ranked as Pro Football Focus’ 25th best center in 2016, but he has posted several top ten and top five seasons over his career.

AFC Notes: Ravens, Fins, Texans, Bolts

August 3rd, 2017 at 6:29pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

In the wake of John Urschel‘s retirement and Nico Siragusa‘s season-ending knee injury, the Ravens’ top priority is to add to their offensive line, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. General manager Ozzie Newsome has discussed trades with other teams, reports Zrebiec, who points out that free agency could be a tough route to take because the Ravens don’t have much cap room. Further, while the Ravens showed interest in free agent center Nick Mangold during the offseason, there are questions as to whether the 33-year-old is committed to continuing his career, relays Zrebiec. Notably, Mangold indicated in May that he could retire.

Latest On Nick Mangold

July 23rd, 2017 at 9:34am CST by Rory Parks

It is not particularly surprising that all has been quiet on the Nick Mangold front, as it became clear earlier this offseason that the 33-year-old free agent was more likely to be a training camp signing if he elected to continue his football career. But now that training camp is upon us, there are still no new public reports regarding a possible match.

We most recently heard that the Dolphins are not interested in the Ohio State product, and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com scratches another AFC East club off the list of potential suitors. Reiss, in response to a fan question as to whether Mangold could be a fit for the Patriots, says New England is not a likely landing spot at this time because Mangold is looking for a team that needs a starting center; he does not want to be “veteran depth.”

That, of course, is consistent with what we have heard all along. More interesting is Reiss’ report that Mangold was still getting physical therapy on his foot/ankle as of a month ago, which is not going to make teams that have been skeptical about his medicals — and that have considered him as more of a guard or depth option — any more excited about the prospect of signing him.

Reiss suggests that Mangold does not need or want to go through the grind of a training camp at this point in his career, and one camp injury could entirely change a team’s perception of Mangold (although Max Unger‘s injury did not prompt the Saints to check in on Mangold, Unger could be ready for Week 1).

The guess here, though, is that Mangold ends up in Baltimore. The Ravens, who met with Mangold back in May, have two glaring needs along their offensive line, at center and at right tackle. If Mangold can slot in at center, Baltimore would have a potentially excellent center-right guard combo with Mangold and Marshal Yanda. That would make the team much more comfortable in allowing Ryan Jensen, John Urschel, and rookie Nico Siragusa battle for the left guard job — and the losers of that competition would represent fairly strong depth — and it would allow the Ravens to move Alex Lewis out to right tackle, where he would represent a considerable upgrade over James Hurst.

As we heard several months ago, though, retirement is not out of the question for Mangold, so if he does not find an opportunity that suits him, he may simply elect to call it a career.

Latest On Dolphins C Mike Pouncey

June 29th, 2017 at 1:03pm CST by Zachary Links

The expectation is that Mike Pouncey will be ready for Week 1, a source “very close” to the Dolphins center tells Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Although Pouncey has not been cleared by team doctors for action yet, he apparently feels that he is just about ready to play.

Pouncey missed 11 games during the 2016 season thanks to his troublesome hip. Apparently, that problem was compounded by a bacterial infection in his inner thigh. The infection has been treated, however, so Pouncey is almost back to normal.

This is all very good news for the Dolphins since they did not put a ton of resources into a Plan B for Pouncey. If Pouncey is not good to go, then they’ll likely use Kraig Urbik as the starter in the middle with support from free agent addition Ted Larsen and Anthony Steen. Players apparently prefer Urbik over Steen at center because Steen sometimes took too long to make calls last year.

In related news, the Dolphins have not checked in on free agent center Nick Mangold lately. Miami did reach out to Mangold’s team at one point this offseason, but there has been zero movement on that front this summer.