The Jets continued to solidify their offensive line Tuesday, this time by bringing back one of their own.
Guard Alex Lewis agreed to return on a three-year, $18.6 million deal with $6 million guaranteed, according to a source. Lewis started 12 games and played in 15 for the Jets last season after the team acquired him from the Ravens in a training camp trade.
Lewis, 27, became a starter at left guard in Week 4, replacing Kelechi Osemele. The coaches were impressed with the toughness Lewis brought and he was one of the few bright spots on the offensive line.
This is the second move the Jets have made with their line. They agreed to a three-year, $27.3 million deal with tackle George Fant on Monday.
Fixing the offensive line is the top priority for the Jets and new general manager Joe Douglas this offseason. Even so, Douglas has been judicious in the early going of free agency. He has not thrown big money at the top free agents.
Fant and Lewis figure to be just the beginning of the line overhaul, which surely will continue in free agency and in next month’s draft.
The line right now looks like this: Fant at left tackle, Lewis at left guard, Jonotthan Harrison at center, Brian Winters at right guard and Chuma Edoga at right tackle.
There is still plenty of work to be done. The Jets are expected to draft a tackle, probably in the first round. If that draft pick is ready to play left tackle, Fant could move to the right side or they could spend a year playing right tackle with Fant on the left side.
Winters was projected to be a salary-cap casualty, but he may be a fallback option if the Jets can’t find a guard they like more in free agency.
The Jets also brought back center Connor McGovern, and could be in the market for Panthers guard Greg Van Roten.


