NY Jets land best available center with Connor McGovern signing

The NY Jets have made perhaps their best move of the offseason reportedly signing versatile center Connor McGovern to a three-year, $27 million contract.

NY Jets general manager Joe Douglas insisted that the offensive line would be a point of emphasis this offseason over the past couple of months. And after the signing of center Connor McGovern, that notion no longer seems disputable.

The Jets have now made three moves since the legal tampering period started on Monday, all three regarding players on the offensive line.

First, it was the signing of swing tackle George Fant on Monday which was followed up by re-signing veteran guard Alex Lewis on Tuesday. But their most recent deal is likely their best of all.

As first reported by Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News, the Jets have officially signed center McGovern to a three-year, $27 million contract with $18 million guaranteed. The teams of the deal were first disclosed by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

McGovern is the first true upgrade the Jets have made to the offensive line this offseason as the former Denver Broncos lineman has developed into a very quality interior starter.

Originally drafted by the Broncos in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, McGovern didn’t play in a single game his rookie season. He got his first crack as a starter in 2017 starting five games at right guard in place of the injured Ronald Leary.

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McGovern’s solid play forced the Broncos to rethink his role on the team and he was named the starting right guard in 2018 while Leary was moved to left guard.

He would go on to start 15 games in 2018 playing right guard before switching over to center once Matt Paradis went down with an injury. Jets fans will remember Paradis as a free-agent target from last offseason.

Now, Gang Green has signed his replacement.

McGovern started all 16 games in 2019 allowing just one sack. On top of that, the 26-year-old was the only qualified center to have not been tagged for a penalty last season.

He was as solid as they come earning an impressive 71.9 Pro Football Focus grade while excelling primarily as a pass-blocker. His run-blocking could still use some work, but at just 26-years-old, this is an excellent signing.

The guaranteed money is a little high, but McGovern is young and has never run into injury trouble. Combine that with his above-average play and versatility and you have the Jets’ best signing so far.

Jets fans could breathe a sigh of relief for the time being. Connor McGovern looks like the real deal.