Gang Green Nation
After years of failure, misevaluations, and poor personnel decisions, the Jets finally seemed to find the formula on the offensive line in 2024. Even though the season itself was a colossal disappointment, for once the offensive line was not at the top of the list of culprits. In 2025, the Jets will need to lean on the line on the offensive side of the ball, particularly a group on the interior which on paper looks solid for once.
The Center Competition
Joe Tippmann
Josh Myers
It is a bit unusual for an established starter like Tippmann to need to compete in training camp to keep his job, but that is the current state of affairs for the Jets. A new coaching staff has no loyalty to incumbent players so Tippmann gets no special treatment.
The competition is Myers, who was the starter for three years and change with the Packers. I think Tippmann is the better and higher upside player. His strength, size, and mobility give him the tools to be an above average starter for a long time in New York. My guess is he wins the starting job.
The loser of this position battle will presumably be the top backup at center and both guard spots. That’s a good thing for the Jets. Offensive line depth is rare in this league. Having a starting caliber player as the top reserve is a luxury few teams have.
The Solid Guard Duo
John Simpson
Alijah Vera-Tucker
A year ago the two guards were giant question marks for two different reasons. Simpson, then a recent free agent signing, had an uneven track record in the league. Vera-Tucker had missed the better part of the previous two seasons due to injury.
You can say a lot bad about the 2024 Jets, but it’s tough to complain about the guard play. The Jets spent last offseason bringing in big name after big name. Yet the signing of the relatively unknown Simpson was the best of the additions the team made. A lesser known player in his prime years whose career was on an upward trajectory outperformed a bunch of declining big money former stars. The Jets could probably learn something from that experience.
Vera-Tucker meanwhile stayed healthy enough to play 15 games.
The biggest drama for the guard duo could be off the field. Both Simpson and Vera-Tucker are in the final year of their respective contracts. The Jets will likely want to avoid a scenario where both starting guards enter free agency in the upcoming offseason so it would be logical to try and sign one of the two long-term. My vote would be for the younger and better Vera-Tucker. But that vote could change in a scenario where Simpson is willing to take a team-friendly deal, and Vera-Tucker pushes for big money.
Aside from that the questions around the duo are whether Simpson can build off the best year of his career and whether Vera-Tucker can have a second consecutive relatively...
