NY Jets make puzzling OL signing of player who was benched and quit last year

The New York Jets have made some shrewd moves in free agency this week, with many fans cautiously optimistic about the future of the organization. The team's latest free-agent signing, however, has many fans questioning the vision.

The Jets have reportedly signed former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, as first reported by NFL insider Aaron Wilson. The specific terms of the deal are unknown at the time of writing.

Okorafor is an experienced tackle who started 59 games for the Steelers between 2018 and 2023, although his recent career trajectory makes this a highly questionable move.

Simply put, if the Jets intend for Okorafor to factor into their 2025 plans, they're taking a massive risk on a player who has been benched twice in two years and essentially went AWOL just a few months ago. Let's explain.

NY Jets' Chukwuma Okorafor signing is a confusing one

A third-round pick of the Steelers in the 2018 NFL Draft, Okorafor took over as Pittsburgh's full-time starting right tackle in 2020 and would go on to start the next 3.5 years for the team.

His performance was impressive enough for his team to sign him to a three-year, $29.25 million contract in the 2022 offseason, although the Steelers would come to regret that deal.

Okorafor was benched halfway through the 2023 season in favor of rookie Broderick Jones. He'd make only seven starts for the Steelers that season, posting a below-average 60.4 Pro Football Focus grade.

Okorafor aimed to revive his career after signing a one-year, $4 million deal with the New England Patriots last offseason, where he was expected to compete for the starting left tackle job. However, things didn’t go as planned.

The 27-year-old lost the starting job to former sixth-round pick Vederian Lowe in training camp but was still called upon to start in Week 1 due to a teammate’s injury. Okorafor played just 12 snaps, allowing three pressures in six pass-blocking opportunities, before being benched in the first half of his debut.

Unhappy with his role, Okorafor would soon leave the team and was placed on the exempt/left squad list the following week. He wouldn't play another game in 2024.

The options to upgrade at offensive tackle in free agency were limited, but it's safe to say there are quite a few more intriguing options than this, including former Miami Dolphins veteran tackle Kendall Lamm.

Perhaps the Jets are simply taking a flier on a former starter who could compete for a roster spot, but if Okorafor is legitimately an option to start in 2025, the team could be making a grave mistake. This is a confusing early free-agent signing, nonetheless.

NY Jets make puzzling OL signing of player who was benched and quit last year

NY Jets' Chukwuma Okorafor signing is a confusing one

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