NY Jets reportedly still interested in signing veteran Jason Peters

The NY Jets are reportedly still interested in signing offensive tackle Jason Peters to add another veteran free agent signing to their offensive line.

The NY Jets may have added a collection of new names to their offensive line in the offseason, but it appears as though their work isn’t done just yet with rumors that the team could look to sign veteran offensive tackle Jason Peters.

The Jets drafted Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. On top of that, they retained Alex Lewis and signed the likes of Connor McGovern, Greg Van Roten, and George Fant in free agency.

However, Peters would certainly shake up the projected lineup.

As reported by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the 38-year-old Peters is still weighing his options for next season. However, he’s indicated that he’s perfectly comfortable playing into his 40s. The Jets are one of a handful of teams still interested.

It’s been assumed that the newly-drafted Becton would start the season at left tackle with Fant and 2019 third-round pick Chuma Edoga competing for time at right tackle. But Peters would definitely change things.

The 16-year veteran has spent his entire career at left tackle and he could be asked to fill a similar role if he were to sign with the Jets. Now, Peters has indicated that he’d be willing to move to right tackle if need be, but that’s far from a guarantee.

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The Jets would have a few options if Peters were to be signed.

They could opt to have Peters play the left side while moving Becton to the right side allowing Fant and Edoga to fill backup roles. Or they could keep Becton at left tackle and have Peters play on the right side.

But perhaps an overlooked possibility would be to have Becton begin the season on the bench. While this might not seem ideal for the No. 11 overall pick in the draft, it makes sense given the situation that NFL teams are facing.

With an in-person training camp looking more uncertain by the day, it’s going to be incredibly difficult for rookies to start early on in the year. That’s especially true given the fact that Becton is still very much a work in progress.

The learning curve will be steeper this offseason more than any in the past. And it might be wise to allow Becton to ease into a starting role — especially if it means a nine-time Pro Bowler like Peters would be starting in his place.

Fant is a veteran who will be paid $10 million in 2020 and Edoga already has a year in the system under his belt. It’s not what Jets fans would like to hear, but it’s certainly a possibility.

The Jets could also look at moving Becton inside to guard for a year while having him learn under Peters. All options are on the table.

It remains to be seen whether the Jets’ reported interest in Jason Peters will amount to anything, but it’s clear that it would cause a major shakeup on the offensive line.