Joe Tippmann extension gives Jets rare chance to laugh in Giants' faces

The New York Jets may not have many players on the roster who are worth giving long-term contract extensions to, but Darren Mougey didn't hesitate to lock up one of them. Right before the team's mandatory minicamp was to start, the Jets signed right guard Joe Tippmann to a four-year contract extension that will pay him as much as $66 million.

It's worth remembering that when the Jets picked the Wisconsin standout 43rd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, it came at a time when Gang Green could have used that selection on another Big Ten center in Minnesota's John Michael Schmitz. Ultimately, Schmitz would end up in New York, going 57th overall to the New York Giants.

The two have had very different career paths to this point. Tippmann has earned a well-deserved extension that puts him on the outside of the Top 10 in terms of average annual value for the position, while Schmitz has become a major pain point with the team and fanbase. The Jets made the right choice, which is rarely the case.

Jets can laugh at Giants as Joe Tippmann lands big extension

Tippmann put together two promising seasons at center and one very good one at guard. Even though his quarterbacks were a greybeard in Aaron Rodgers, who was rooted to the pocket, and someone in Justin Fields, who made everyone look bad by holding the ball as long as he did, Tippmann managed to be solid in run blocking and pass protection.

Tippmann's deal is right about what the Browns and Saints are paying Zion Johnson and David Edwards, respectively. That is a great bit of business for Darren Mougey, who now has their three top offensive linemen in Tippmann, Olu Fashanu, and Armand Membou signed through the 2027 season.

Schmitz might be in line for another year as the starting center, but any metric one could dig up suggests that he is a below-average player. At least the Giants addressed their interior offensive line in the NFL Draft with the Francis Mauigoa selection, as Schmitz serving as one of the anchors could be a recipe for disaster.

The Jets very rarely have the opportunity to 360 dunk in the Giants' face, even when Big Blue is going through some rough patches, but the decision to take Tippmann and leave their roommates with Schmitz seems to have been one of Joe Douglas' biggest victories as a personnel evaluator.

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