Replenishing Offensive Line, Jets Lock up Adam Pankey and Wes Schweitzer
The New York Jets made two moves to reinforce their interior offensive line depth.
Gang Green agreed to terms with restricted free agent Adam Pankey and signed Wes Schweitzer away from the Washington Commanders. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the Pankey re-signing while the Jets officially announced the Schweitzer deal.
The two transactions come after the Jets lost unrestricted free agent guard Nate Herbig to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 6-foot-4 Herbig made 11 starts for Gang Green in 2022, attempting to offset the loss of Alijah Vera-Tucker to a season-ending injury.
In addition to Herbig’s departure, free agent reserve guard Dan Feeney has reportedly agreed to join the Miami Dolphins on a one-year deal. Feeney played all 17 regular season games while making two starts for the Jets in 2022.
Pankey had limited playing experience prior to arriving in New York with only nine appearances over his first five NFL seasons. The 6-foot-5 offensive guard landed on the Jets’ practice squad this past September after the Dolphins released him at the end of the 2022 NFL Preseason.
Gang Green signed Pankey to the active roster prior to the Week 18 regular season finale in Miami. Pankey entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia in 2017.
Meanwhile, Schweitzer brings significant in-game experience to the Jets. The 6-foot-4 Swiss Army knife has started 60 of his 80 appearances since beginning his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons in 2016.
The Jets were likely attracted to Schweitzer’s versatility. Listed as a guard on his NFL.com Player Profile, he has taken snaps at all five offensive line positions as a pro.
After making Schweitzer a sixth-round draft pick, the Falcons named him their starting right guard for the 2017 season and he proceeded to start all 16 games. The San Jose State product signed with Washington as a free agent during the 2020 offseason.
Schweitzer appeared in 34 games, including 24 starts, during his tenure with the Commanders. He made only seven appearances (6 starts) in 2022, spending the bulk of the season on injured reserve due to a concussion.
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