After Sunday’s 32-25 victory over the Jaguars, Aaron Rodgers went out of his technique to reward one group of Jets.
“I want to say one more time, the offensive line had an outstanding game, and I had all day to throw,” Rodgers stated. “Big shout out to the big boys. I’m going to love them up on the bus.”
It was straightforward to miss the job the Jets offensive line did after the fireworks offered by Rodgers and Davante Adams within the second half.
However Rodgers was proper.
The road did give him all day to throw.
He solely confronted six pressures and was sacked as soon as by a Jaguars protection that has two good edge rushers in Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
In a season the place not a lot has gone proper for the Jets, the offensive line has grow to be a vibrant spot.
Former normal supervisor Joe Douglas struggled to repair the offensive line throughout his time with the group, partly from personnel errors like drafting Mekhi Becton or signing Laken Tomlinson in free company and partly from unhealthy harm luck.
However it appears like Douglas acquired the road proper in his final attempt at it and it might be his parting present to the Jets.
The Jets have 4 offensive linemen who ought to be again subsequent yr and one free agent who additionally could return.
Left deal with Olu Fashanu, left guard John Simpson, middle Joe Tippmann and proper guard Alijah Vera-Tucker are all beneath contract for subsequent yr.
Proper deal with Morgan Moses is a free agent, however he might be re-signed.
The Jets might have some constructing blocks for years with younger gamers in Fashanu (22), Tippmann (23) and Vera-Tucker (25).
Simpson is just not that a lot older at 27 years previous.
One key for the Jets this season has been continuity.
In contrast to final yr when the Jets had 13 completely different offensive line combos, they’ve solely had 4 this season.
Simpson and Tippmann have began each recreation.
They misplaced left deal with Tyron Smith to a neck harm, however Fashanu has been an improve since changing the veteran.
Douglas got down to repair the road within the offseason, signing Simpson, Smith and Moses and drafting Fashanu with the No. 11 general choose.
Smith was a disappointment however the different three gamers have all been sturdy additions.
“It’s an awesome testament to what the front office has done and put together as far as roster concern,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich stated. “For these guys to have the chance to play collectively for a protracted, very long time that’s the particular. Groups on this league which have that cohesion, that point on activity for an offensive line perspective, for my part, it’s the offensive line and it’s the defensive secondary, when you may get these two teams collectively for an prolonged period of time and so they study one another on the highest stage, that’s the place championship stage soccer begins and ends.
“I think Detroit is a great demonstration of what that’s supposed to look like, their offensive line, obviously talented and obviously they’ve invested a lot into it, but they’ve had a lot of time together now. So, it’s critical, you want to win a championship, start with your offensive line.”
Fashanu, who was drafted out of Penn State, has regarded like he might be a cornerstone for the group.
He threw a key block on Hines-Allen on Sunday when Rodgers linked with Adams for a 71-yard landing.
The rookie has impressed his teammates.
“He’s a stud,” Simpson stated of Fashanu. “He’s balling right now. They drafted him in the first round to do exactly what he’s doing. He’s a guy who came in from Day 1, put his head down and went to work. He didn’t really complain, never hear him complaining. He’s a guy that is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. That’s all you can ask from a guy like that, for sure.”
