The NFL regular season is drawing close, and teams are eager to start playing in pads again. Across the league, players are working and challenging themselves to earn playing time and the chance to start. With that being said, the New York Jets are no exception. In the midst of training camp, a starting competition has been underway for the final piece of the starting offensive line. Early returns show that the incumbent, Jets center Joe Tippmann, is leading the charge. However, the opportunity to remain a starting center is easier said than done. During the offseason, the Jets reinforced the interior of their offensive line by signing Josh Myers. The former Green Bay Packers starting center competes to snap the ball to his ex-college quarterback, Justin Fields. Can Josh Myers capitalize and win the starting job?
Can Veteran Shock and Win Jets Starting Center Battle?
Attempting to revitalize the offense, new head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand are building from the ground up. Between the flashes we’ve seen in the running back room between Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis can provide, they want to get creative in the running game. To achieve this, depth on the offensive line is essential. As things stand, the Jets unit is much improved compared to last year. The selection of Armand Membou gives New York a young right tackle to grow opposite Olu Fashanu. In addition, guards John Simpson and Alijah Vera-Tucker have been lynch pins in the interior. But, New York must fortify the interior with a great center.
For the last two seasons, Jets center Joe Tippmann has shone in the running game. Finishing within the top ten run-blocking centers on PFF, Tippmann has displayed a lasting skill set in the league. However, the young center is a work in progress in pass protection. While they are emphasizing the run, the Jets will need a stable pass protector for Justin Fields to succeed. So, Jets general manager Darren Mougey signed long-time Green Bay Packers center Josh Myers.
Josh Myers is competing for the Jets starting Center Job
An Ohio native who committed to Ohio State, Josh Myers moved from guard to center and never looked back. Myers started at Ohio State for three seasons from 2017-2020. Over that time, Myers played in over 900 snaps, earning All Big 10 conference honors in 2019 & 2020. In addition, Myers was named a team captain in his junior season. In 2021, Myers was drafted 62nd overall by the Green Bay Packers. Entering his rookie season, Myers had big shoes to fill, replacing longtime center Corey Lindsley, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. Unfortunately, Myers rookie season was impacted by a leg injury that forced him to miss 11 games. However, Myers has since shown great durability, starting in 50 games and playing over 1,000 snaps each season.
During the offseason, the Green Bay Packers made a major change, signing longtime San Francisco 49ers guard Aaron Banks. With Banks signed, the team opted to shift Elgton Jenkins to center. As a result, Myers’ contract was not renewed, and he became a free agent.
Who is the front-runner to start?
The competition between Myers and Tippmann has been more contested than initially anticipated. As of now, all signs point to Tippmann retaining his starting job. Alas, Josh Myers isn’t going down without a fight. The Buckeyes connection between Josh Myers and Justin Fields has got the two in chemistry like they’re back in Columbus. Myers also ranked 19th in pass blocking on PFF, almost 20 spaces higher than Joe Tippmann. While that is a staggering difference, this should still be Joe Tippmann’s job.
Last year, Joe Tippmann ranked eighth among centers for run blocking. Despite Myers prowess in pass protection, Tippmann’s upside is far greater. Especially considering Tippmann is only 24, three years younger than Josh Myers. Despite more time needed to refine his game, it would be a mistake to try and ruin Tippmann’s development by benching him for Myers. However, that doesn’t mean Myers can’t contribute. Myers’ playoff experience and his familiarity with Fields should allow him to rotate in certain scenarios when Fields is being pressured in long-yard situations. No matter who wins the job, both men will be extremely beneficial to the Jets offense this year.
Main Photo: [John Jones] – USA Today Sports
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