NY Jets: Kyle Long rumors disputed by multiple sources

The NY Jets may not have as much interest in Kyle Long as previously reported.

The NY Jets were reported to be showing interest in recently retired offensive guard Kyle Long earlier today, but it seems as though they may not have the same level of interest as originally reported.

Or any interest at all for that matter.

Earlier on Friday, it was reported by Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News that the Jets had reached out to the former Pro Bowl guard about possibly coming out of retirement to play for the team.

Long retired back in January after four consecutive injury-plagued seasons. At one point, Long was one of the best guards in the NFL making the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons in the league.

But the 31-year-old hasn’t played in more than 10 games since 2015 and appeared in just four this past season while struggling through a major hip injury.

Still, the idea of the Jets adding Long was intriguing to some degree, provided it was at the right price. However, that might be more of a fantasy than a reality.

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The NY Jets might not be interested in Kyle Long after all.

Multiple sources have come out disputing the initial report in the hours since including Yahoo Sports’ Eric Edholm who stated that a source denied any interest that the Jets had in Long.

He wasn’t the only one, however, as Rick Tarsitano of WGN News — a local Chicago news station — reported that he directly reached out to Long about the news to which the former Bears lineman insisted that there was no truth to the rumors.

Generally, it’s difficult to determine what is or isn’t real when conflicting reports emerge. But with multiple sources seemingly denying the initial claim, it’s only right to assume that the latter is true and that there is no actual interest from the Jets.

Gang Green is set to enter next season with Alex Lewis at left guard and the duo of Greg Van Roten and Brian Winters competing for the starting right guard spot.

If Long was healthy, it’s very possible that he could be an improvement at the position. But the former Oregon star hasn’t been healthy in nearly five years. Expecting that to be the case now would be wishful thinking.

After general manager Joe Douglas managed to coax five-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil out of retirement last offseason, many assumed that a similar situation could take place with Long after today’s early reports.

However, any hopes of a repeat strategy don’t appear very likely.

And perhaps that’s ultimately for the best anyway.