Former Jets center Spencer Long signs with the Bills

After being released by the New York Jets just days ago, center Spencer Long has agreed to a contract with the Buffalo Bills ending any chance he might return to the team in 2019.

Following a disappointing 2018 season, the New York Jets opted to release center Spencer Long after just one season with the team. Despite this, there were still many who thought the Jets would look to bring Long back, albeit on a discounted price.

Any hope of a potential reunion happening has been lost after the former Washington Redskin has signed a three-year contract to join the Jets AFC East rivals, the Buffalo Bills.

Long was signed to a four-year deal last offseason but failed to live up to expectations struggling his way through a rough 2018 campaign. The 28-year-old battled a nagging finger injury for much of the season which ultimately sabotaged the Jets Week 9 game against the Miami Dolphins.

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Even despite his injury, Long struggled early on offering little as a run blocker and disappointing as a pass protector, his supposed strength. The injury forced backup center Jonotthan Harrison into the starting lineup, a position he would hold for the remainder of the season.

Long eventually returned and instead of taking over his previous position was moved to left guard with veteran James Carpenter winding up on the injured reserve. While Long played slightly better at guard, it clearly wasn’t enough for the Jets to bring him back.

The team will now head into the offseason looking for a new starting left guard and center with Carpenter and Harrison likely to depart by way of free agency. Even if the Jets were to re-sign Harrison, it likely wouldn’t be as a full-time starter.

Free agency could be an option the Jets take with players such as Matt Paradis, Mitch Morse, Rodger Saffold, and Quinton Spain being potentially intriguing options.

If they opt to address the need in the draft, the team could look to draft Alabama’s Jonah Williams in the first round and shift the Crimson Tide left tackle to guard, a position some feel he is better suited for. If not, later options could include NC State’s Garrett Bradbury or Mississippi State’s Elgton Jenkins.

Either way, a second season of Long with the Jets isn’t going to happen. And with that, his tumultuous Jets career has officially come to an end.

After being released by the New York Jets just days ago, center Spencer Long has agreed to a contract with the Buffalo Bills ending any chance he might return to the team in 2019.

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