Aaron Rodgers will be taking his Jets snaps from Connor McGovern.
Hours before executing the Monday blockbuster trade for Rodgers, the Jets re-signed three-year starting center Connor McGovern to get the first half of their center-quarterback exchange in order 40 days after free agency began and three days before the start of the draft.
Re-signing McGovern, who was ranked as the No. 10 center in the NFL last season by Pro Football Focus, opened up some options now that the Jets are down to one second-round pick (No. 43).
The No. 42 pick was included in the package headed to the Packers for Rodgers.
Putting aside five-time All-Pro Jason Kelce’s one-year, $14.2 million contract to return to the Eagles, the Panthers’ Bradley Bozeman (three years, $18 million), the 49ers’ Jake Brendel (three years, $16.5 million) and the Vikings’ Garrett Bradbury (three years, $15.75 million) formed the top of the free-agent center market.
The Jets have re-signed starting center Connor McGovern. Bill Kostroun/New York PostTerms of McGovern’s deal were not immediately available, but he averaged $9 million per year on his last deal with the Jets, which could explain his long free-agent wait.
McGovern, who will turn 30 Thursday, played every snap (1,114) last season and has missed only three games in a six-year career that includes 84 starts.
The Jets and Packers have yet to work out an Aaron Rodgers trade. Getty ImagesThe Jets now have four of the five primary starters from last year’s offensive line under contract: McGovern, guards Alijah Vera-Tucker and Laken Tomlinson, and tackle Duane Brown.
Former first-round pick Mekhi Becton — who has played just one game over the last two years due to injuries — is said to be healthy, in better shape and ready to compete, and the Jets are widely expected to add another offensive tackle at No. 15 (after a pick-swap from No. 13 with the Packers).
It is still possible the Jets use No. 43 on Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz or Wisconsin’s Joe Tippman, but now a plug-and-play center is not necessary, especially with guard-center Wes Schweitzer (60 career starts) in the mix behind McGovern as a free-agent addition.
The Jets certainly could add more competition and a potential long-term alternative with a Day 3 draft pick instead of reaching out of need.
Ohio State’s Luke Wypler, Arkansas’ Ricky Stromberg and Michigan’s Olusegun Oluwatimi are projected to be picked in the third round or later.
“This is a weirdly good center class,” ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said. “I just keep popping on these tapes over the last couple months and I’m like, ‘I like this guy. This guy can play. This guy can start.’ … It’s rare to have five guys where I can say all five of them will be pretty good to really good starting centers in the league.”







