Jets OL cornerstone suddenly facing unexpected challenge for starting job

Joe Tippmann was one of the few bright spots on the New York Jets’ offense last season. The former second-round pick looked the part of a long-term building block, anchoring the middle of a much-improved offensive line.

With a full year under his belt and an even better unit in 2025, Tippmann seemed like a safe bet to retain his starting center job without question. However, that may not be the case under this new Jets regime.

According to a recent report from The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, there could be a real competition brewing between Tippmann and free-agent addition Josh Myers, something general manager Darren Mougey alluded to back in March.

Veteran guard John Simpson added fuel to the speculation, telling reporters this week that both players are “battling” and “just fighting” to prove themselves.

It’s certainly a surprise development, if nothing else. Tippmann is coming off an impressive sophomore NFL season, while Myers was signed to what appeared to be a backup-level contract.

Yet the new coaching staff has made it clear they’re reevaluating everything, and this apparent center battle may just be the latest example.

Joe Tippmann will have to earn the NY Jets' starting center job

On paper, this competition shouldn’t be much of a battle. Tippmann was one of the best young centers in the league last season, earning a 73.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked eighth best among all qualified centers.

His 77.3 run-blocking grade ranked seventh out of 37 qualifiers, and he allowed just 23 total pressures all season. Tippmann thrived in his second NFL season and appeared well on his way to becoming a future Pro Bowl-caliber piece in the middle of the Jets' offensive line.

Myers, on the other hand, enters the mix with significantly less upside. The Jets signed the former Packers starter to a one-year, $3 million deal this offseason, presumably to serve as interior offensive line depth behind Tippmann, John Simpson, and Alijah Vera-Tucker.

While Myers has 56 career starts and experience at center, his performance in recent years has been subpar. In 2024, Myers posted a brutal 54.6 PFF grade, ranking 38th out of 40 qualified centers, including a 50.9 run-blocking grade that placed him 36th of 37.

Tippmann should be viewed as a long-term core piece of the Jets' offensive line, while Myers is a fine stopgap or backup. Continuity also favors Tippmann, who started alongside Simpson and Vera-Tucker last year.

Breaking up that interior trio, especially when they were one of the few stable parts of an otherwise dismal 2024 offense, would seem like an unnecessary disruption.

That said, it’s not uncommon for a new regime to keep all options open. This front office and coaching staff didn’t draft Tippmann, but they did sign Myers.

Even if the money suggests a backup role, new general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn appear intent on evaluating everyone from scratch. Still, if this truly is a merit-based competition, Tippmann’s job shouldn’t be in serious jeopardy.

While it’s surprising to see Joe Tippmann in a true competition, the numbers and context paint a pretty clear picture. This should still be his job to lose.

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