Jets re-sign Eric Tomlinson and Brent Qvale for 2019

The New York Jets have announced that they have re-signed reserve depth pieces Eric Tomlinson and Brent Qvale to contracts for the 2019 season.

The New York Jets continued their recent trend of making under-the-radar depth signings on Tuesday when they opted to re-sign two reserve players from this past year.

The Jets announced via social media that they had agreed to terms to bring back both tight end Eric Tomlinson and offensive tackle Brent Qvale. Both players have been members of the Jets roster for the past few seasons serving as reserve players and special teamers.

Tomlinson originally joined the Jets midway through the 2016 season after spending time in the preseason and on the practice squad of both the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans. The UTEP product would go on to spend three years with the Jets serving as the team’s primary blocking tight end.

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The 26-year-old Tomlinson would be regularly used on special teams and was a key piece of the Jets special teams unit that ranked No. 1 in 2018. However, the recent signing of former Chicago Bears tight end Daniel Brown doesn’t bode well for Tomlinson’s long-term future with the organization.

The Jets opted not to tender Tomlinson who entered the 2019 offseason as a restricted free agent and instead brought him back on a likely very cheap deal with little-to-no guaranteed money. Brown also has a solid reputation as a blocking tight end and offers more as a receiver hurting Tomlinson’s chances of making the final 53-man roster.

Qvale will also have some competition this preseason in the form of recent signee Tom Compton. Qvale has surprisingly spent the last five seasons with the Jets after entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014.

The Nebraska product has primarily been a backup swing tackle but has started a total of 14 games throughout his career, including two last season at right tackle in place of the injured Brandon Shell. Like Tomlinson, Qvale will have to compete with Compton to earn a spot on the final roster.

Given that he is already 28-years-old and has less starting experience than Compton, his path back to a final roster spot could be a bit clouded.

Neither of these moves should be considered ground-breaking signings but at the very least these are two players to keep an eye on as we approach training camp and the preseason. They will each look to continue their respective careers with the team they have spent the last few years playing for.

Only this year, the competition could be even steeper than usual.