NY Jets should take a chance on Jason Peters in free agency
By Paul A. Esden Jr.
The NY Jets should take a chance on former Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters. Here are all the details and why it makes sense.
The NY Jets are in desperate need of a left tackle with Kelvin Beachum set to hit unrestricted free agency in the coming weeks.
One name that just became available is Philadelphia Eagles veteran left tackle Jason Peters. According to multiple reports, the Eagles are expected to let Peters hit unrestricted free agency.
After spending the first five years of his career with the Buffalo Bills he was traded to the Eagles. Peters would go on to be a stable pillar for Philadelphia for the next 11 years.
Jason Peters just recently turned 38 years old which is usually a sign that the end is coming. But he has intimated that he would love to continue playing football in 2020.
The NY Jets should be first in line to bring Peters back to New York.
Is he the long-term answer on the blindside? Obviously not. But he could be a nice short-term band-aid to hold down the fort for a year or two.
The key for the Jets is to plug as many holes in the boat as possible this offseason on the offensive line. Sam Darnold needs a clean pocket and so does Le’Veon Bell to create rushing lanes.
Jason Peters would be one of the most proven options the Jets have ever had on the offensive line. He’s a former Super Bowl champion, nine-time Pro Bowl selection, and has played in 205 career games.
The key to free agency is creating flexibility ahead of the NFL Draft.
If the team brings in Peters to plug in on the left side, then the team isn’t pigeonholed to draft a left tackle if the value isn’t there with the 11th overall pick.
Or by having Peters on the left side, the team can still draft the top offensive lineman on the board. Then they can slide that player inside to guard for a year or flip them over to the right side for a year or two until they take over long term for Jason Peters on the blindside.
Long story short you want to have options on draft day and by signing Jason Peters it provides you with choices. If you don’t have a security blanket that could cause you to panic when you’re on the clock in late April which is never ideal.