The Jets’ front office clearly believes that December is the season of giving, as they’ve handed out another contract extension. Last week, it was starting center Josh Myers. This week, it is backup tight end Jeremy Ruckert. His deal is similar to Myers’. Myers got 2 years, $11 million, and Ruckert got 2 years, $10 million, a solid payday. The young tight end was a very cool story when he was drafted. He grew up on Long Island in Lindenhurst, New York. His Dad is a huge Jets fan, and you could see it on draft night with how excited he was:
Jeremy Ruckert’s dad won draft weekend.
@Jeremy_Ruckert1 | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/UFJSZyiSB8
— HALL of GOATS (@GOATS_hall) May 1, 2022
Now, he and his family get to continue living the dream. However, the path to this point was not an easy one.
Jeremy Ruckert’s Jets Turnaround
Jeremy Ruckert was drafted in 2022 as a 3rd round selection, but he never got a chance to start. The 2022 season saw him overshadowed by both Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah. He appeared in three games that season, registering just one catch for 8 yards. The next season (2023) saw a major uptick for the young tight end relative to the previous. He appeared in all but three games this time and ended the season with 16 catches for 151 yards. He had a solid 55.0 run blocking grade according to PFF for that season as well. Finally, 2024 saw very similar receiving production as 2023, as he had 18 catches for 105 yards. However, the run blocking took a major step down as he ended that season with an abysmal 39.0.
After that season, much of the fanbase had given up on the Ohio State product. Jeremy Ruckert had never been given extended looks as a receiver, and he had devolved into a negative run blocker. The new regime of Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey clearly doesn’t see him as a starter either. They drafted Mason Taylor in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft so he could take over the starting role now that Tyler Conklin was off the roster. However, they hadn’t given up on Ruckert as a backup. Tanner Engstrand has begun to unlock Jeremy Ruckert in the backup role. He has 20 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown in 2025, all career highs. His usage echoes that of Lions backup tight end Brock Wright, whom Engstrand coached around in his previous occupation. He also improved as a run blocker, as he currently has a 57.7 grade. The Jets clearly had plans for him in 2025, and he executed well. A well-earned deal.
The Jets Might Not Be Done Yet
As mentioned earlier, the Jets have now gotten two contract extensions done in December – Josh Myers and Jeremy Ruckert. This may not be the end, though, as the Jets have impending free agents that they may want to get back for 2026 and beyond. The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt outlined a few of them this morning:
Some other candidates for early extensions:
– K Nick Folk
– KR Kene Nwangwu
– John Simpson OR Alijah Vera-Tucker (will likely be only one of them returning)
– DT Harrison Phillips: only has one year left on his deal after this season and his salary is non-guaranteedI don’t… https://t.co/AUY93RnivE
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) December 17, 2025
If Nick Folk decides to play next season, it’s probably a no-brainer. The front office will still have to consider his age (he turned 41 this past November), but the numbers have not lied this season. He’s 25/26 on field goals so far this season, including 7/8 from beyond 50 yards. One of those long field goals was the game-winner against the Falcons. He has earned an extension. Kene Nwangwu has also earned an extension as he is one of the most electric returners in football. However, he has to be healthy in order to show it. That’ll be the one thing the Jets take into consideration there. Harrison Phillips has definitely earned an extension and is the most likely to happen out of these 5 players. He’s been a premier run defender this season and deserves some guaranteed money.
Finally, the offensive line situation is fascinating. The Jets have 4/5 starters locked in for 2026, with the exception being left guard. There’s a high chance it’s either John Simpson or Alijah Vera-Tucker. Both have their negatives. Simpson has drawn the second-most penalties of the starting five offensive linemen (8). Vera-Tucker doesn’t have that same penalty problem, but he has suffered multiple season-ending injuries in the NFL. Comparing their ceilings as players, the higher one is probably AVT, but Simpson may offer a higher floor. This will be an underrated storyline to watch in the spring.
Main Photo: [Robert Deutsch] – Imagn Images
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