Ben Jones and the Jets?
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There's no running an offense without one.
The center is a vital piece of the offensive line and the New York Jets still need to find one.
“It’s a position [center] we want to continue to address. The entire offensive line, we still want to address and make sure that we’re maximizing that group,” said head coach Robert Saleh at the NFL Owners Meetings in Arizona.
Free-agent signings Wes Schweitzer and Trystan Colon have both played center in the NFL, but have made most of their appearances as guards. The Jets are likely looking at Colon as a depth piece while Schweitzer provides insurance for Alijah Vera-Tucker, who suffered a season-ending triceps injury last October.
Therefore, the Jets need to identify a replacement for the sturdy Connor McGovern, who was the team's starting center for all 17 games in 2022. The 30-year old McGovern remains unsigned as an unrestricted free agent after making 48 of a possible 50 starts over the past three seasons.
“Again, those are things we’re studying, we’re still looking at all the free agent lists. We’re going through the Draft to look at what’s available,” said Saleh.
Ben Jones, who spent the with the Tennessee Titans, is a free agent option currently drawing interest from Gang Green.
Center Ben Jones prior to an offensive play in a 2022 road game against Kansas City
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
When asked specifically about Jones by SNY’s Connor Hughes, Saleh said, “Again, part of the free agent list that we’re all looking at and just making sure that we’re crossing all our T’s and dotting our I’s.”
Jets’ general manager Joe Douglas subsequently shared a high opinion of Jones while speaking to reporters last week.
“There is interest in Ben [Jones], another outstanding veteran. [He was a] Pro Bowler last year. You talk about tough, smart, just a great leader, great person,” said Douglas in Arizona.
The 34-year old Jones spent the last seven seasons with the Tennessee Titans and earned his first-ever Pro Bowl nod in 2022. After playing out his rookie contract with the Houston Texans, the 2012 fourth-round draft pick proceeded to make 108 starts as a Titan.
Jones, who has appeared in 172 regular season NFL contests, has a prior relationship with a new member of the Jets’ coaching staff.
Todd Downing, who will reportedly join the Jets as the passing game coordinator for 2023, served as the Titans’ offensive coordinator the last two seasons before receiving his dismissal in January.
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