With Mekhi Becton’s season-ending damage and the uncertainty on the offensive line because the backdrop, the Jets made the anticipated transfer and signed the veteran lineman Duane Brown, a supply confirmed Thursday.
Brown is now the frontrunner to start out at proper deal with this season, though coach Robert Saleh labeled it an “open” battle Wednesday with Conor McDermott, Chuma Edoga and Max Mitchell additionally within the combine.
But Brown, who reportedly signed a two-year take care of the Jets, brings the best pedigree and most expertise to the place by far as a five-time Pro Bowl choice. Less than a month shy of 37 years outdated, he’s additionally a stopgap resolution on a rebuilding squad.
“The most important thing, no offense to anybody on our team, is to protect the quarterback,” Saleh stated. “So the person who is best prepared to protect the quarterback will be out there.”
The Jets and Brown had mutual curiosity even earlier than Becton’s fractured his kneecap. The sides met over the weekend, and Saleh has a historical past with the Virginia Tech product as each acquired their NFL begins with the Texans in 2008.
“Any time you have a chance to add a Pro Bowler like him and add to the depth of our roster, we’ll look into it. We’re always going to search far and wide and there’s interest on both sides, obviously,” Saleh stated earlier than the signing. “And [Jets GM Joe Douglas] been working on that one for a little bit, but we’ll see where everyone’s at with regards to that conversation.”
“Getting a guy like Duane Brown is kind of being spoiled in a sense of having so much great talent at one position,” Saleh added later. “We do have faith in our backup offensive line. Anytime you get hurt, you have to test your depth. So it doesn’t create panic at all, in my mind, anyway. A guy like Duane is a bonus.”
Brown was a Pro Bowl choice with the Seahawks final season whereas defending Russell Wilson, who, not less than in stature and elegance, is much like Jets quarterback Zach Wilson.
The Jets play their preseason opener Friday in Philadelphia, the place Wilson and the starters are scheduled to play one or two sequence earlier than handing it over to the backups.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com