The Jets have had a mostly quiet free agency as they sort out the Aaron Rodgers situation. But Thursday night, there was finally some movement — and at a position of need, too.
The Jets signed offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer to a two-year deal.
Here’s everything to know about the 29-year-old, who spent the past three seasons on the Commanders.
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How he fits: The Jets badly needed depth on the offensive line, and Schweitzer will, at minimum, bring that to the table. He could also possibly provide some competition to start at center, depending on what general manager Joe Douglas does to address that position.
Schweitzer made sense as a target largely because of his versatility. He played most of his 419 snaps last season at center, but before that had extensive experience at both left and right guard. He has 60 career NFL starts.
2023 impact: The Jets lost two key members of their interior depth chart when guard Nate Herbig (11 starts in 2022) signed with the Steelers and guard/center Dan Feeney (seven starts in two years) went to the Dolphins.
Ideally, Schweitzer would fill the role vacated by Feeney as the top backup at center to whomever the Jets get to upgrade that position, as well as be an option behind left guard Laken Tomlinson and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker.
Schweitzer does have some proven success as a starter. In his last season as a full-time starter for Washington in 2020, Pro Football Focus graded him 18th overall among guards to play at least 500 snaps, and 17th in pass blocking — even though he allowed five sacks that year. According to ESPN, he ranked 10th among guards in run block win rate, too.
In 2022, PFF ranked him 33rd in pass-blocking among 35 centers to play at least 400 snaps and dinged him for three sacks.
Just became official for @WSchweitzer71 ✍️ pic.twitter.com/mYmpJPVD0e
— New York Jets (@nyjets) March 17, 2023
History: Schweitzer was a sixth-round pick of the Falcons in 2016 out of San Jose State. He started all 16 games as a rookie and 36 total in three years with Atlanta, appearing in 46 games overall. He signed a three-year deal with Washington as a free agent in 2020.
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Last year, Commanders offensive coordinator Scott Turner said this about Schweitzer: “He’s a smart guy. He’s stout. He’s physical, he’s a wide body, but he’s smart and can get those guys lined up and then be a good anchor inside to help with a clean pocket.”
Cap update: Schweitzer’s contract is reportedly for $5 million, with $3.165 million guaranteed. Over the Cap lists the Jets with $15.081 million of cap space, though that doesn’t include the contract for wide receiver Allen Lazard, who is expected to soon sign a four-year deal worth $44 million.
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Outlook: Based on Schweitzer’s contract, it seems the Jets likely view him as a depth option more than a potential starter. If that’s the case, Douglas still has some work to do on the offensive line. The Jets pursued 49ers center Jake Brendel before he re-signed with San Francisco, and were reportedly in on Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown, who chose the Bengals.
The Jets still have a hole at center and it’s unclear how comfortable they are with their current situation at tackle, with 37-year-old Duane Brown the most likely starter on the left and Mekhi Becton/Max Mitchell the top options on the right.
Whoever winds up starting at center, the Jets have a solid option as a backup now in Schweitzer.
(Photo of Schweitzer, No. 71: Rob Carr / Getty Images)
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