REPORT: NY Jets interested in Ryan Jensen in free agency

The NY Jets are reportedly considering moving on from center Connor McGovern this offseason, and if they do, the player atop their list of potential replacements appears to be Ryan Jensen.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Sunday that Jensen "has the attention of the Jets," among other teams. This confirms a previous report from uSTADIUM that suggested the Jets were very interested in perhaps cutting McGovern and signing Jensen as his replacement.

The 30-year-old Jensen has spent the last four years of his career serving as a rock-solid starting center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jensen signed a four-year, $42 million contract with the team prior to the start of the 2018 season after developing into a quality starter with the Baltimore Ravens.

Now, the former Ravens' sixth-round pick is set to hit the open market again, and even at his age, it's clear that he still has plenty left in the tank. Jensen will command a significant market, and the Jets are expected to be among those interested.

Ryan Jensen makes sense as a target for the NY Jets

It was reported earlier in the week that Connor McGovern's job wasn't secure, even after a 2021 season that saw him finish as Pro Football Focus' ninth-highest-graded center. His 75.9 grade was the highest among all offensive players on the Jets roster and a new career-best.

Still, the Jets evidently believe that they could upgrade, and Jensen makes sense. The former sixth-round pick was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2021 and hasn't missed a game in five years.

He's durable, plays at a high level, and perhaps most importantly plays with an attitude. Jensen has become known as one of the nastiest offensive linemen in football, and the Jets might be looking to add some of that edge to their offensive line.

McGovern is a good player, but the Jets could release him and save $10 million in cap space with a dead cap charge of just $1.33 million. Those savings could be used to sign Jensen who would likely command a slightly higher price tag on the open market.

Spotrac projects Jensen's market value at roughly three years, $30 million. If the Jets could sign him for a deal that cheap, and they believe he's an upgrade over McGovern, then there's no reason not to make the move.

The Jets are keeping their options open when it comes to their offensive line. Don't be surprised if they make a move at center.