Joe Douglas did not hide what his top priority will be this offseason, and he has kept to his word early in free agency.
The Jets general manager has agreed to deals with three offensive linemen in the first two days of the free-agency negotiating window. The overhaul of one of the team’s biggest weaknesses is under way.
The Jets agreed with former Broncos center Connor McGovern on a three-year, $27 million contract with $18 million guaranteed, according to sources. That came a few hours after they agreed to terms with guard Alex Lewis, who started 12 games for them last season. The Lewis deal is for three years and $18.6 million with $6 million guaranteed.
Douglas has told anyone who would listen since he was hired last June that he prioritizes the offensive and defensive lines. The Jets O-line was terrible last year, allowing 52 sacks and contributing to the No. 31 rushing attack in the NFL.
The Jets know they need to protect quarterback Sam Darnold better if the 22-year-old is going to realize his potential. Douglas has told agents for free-agent players at other positions that everything else was secondary to protecting Darnold. He has followed through on that message this week, despite sitting out some of the big-money offensive line free agents fans were clamoring for.
The deals with McGovern and Lewis come one day after the team reached a three-year, $27.3 million deal with tackle George Fant. Fant and McGovern give them two new starters, and Douglas surely is not done with the offensive line. He still could add another guard in free agency, and he could take one of the top college tackles with the No. 11-overall pick in next month’s draft.
McGovern will slide in at a center spot — which was manned last season by pending free agent Ryan Kalil then Jonotthan Harrison, who remains with the Jets.
Former GM Mike Maccagnan opted not to sign a center in free agency last year, something that was part of the fractured relationship with coach Adam Gase. Douglas lured Kalil out of retirement in August, hoping he could steady the line. It did not work and the line struggled to find chemistry with Kalil, who was placed on injured reserve in November and is expected to go back to retirement.
McGovern, 26, started 16 games last season for the Broncos and did not commit a penalty. He started 31 of Denver’s 32 games the past two seasons and started five in 2017. He was a fifth-round pick by Denver in 2016 out of Missouri. He also has played guard.
According to 9 News in Denver, the Jets beat out the Vikings and 49ers for McGovern.
Lewis started 12 games and played in 15 for the Jets last season, after the team acquired him from the Ravens in a training camp trade.
Lewis, 27, became a starter at left guard in Week 4, replacing Kelechi Osemele. The coaches were impressed with the toughness Lewis brought and he was one of the few bright spots on the offensive line.
The line right now looks like this: Fant at left tackle, Lewis at left guard, McGovern at center, Brian Winters at right guard and Chuma Edoga at right tackle.