Connor

McGovern

The Saints are drastically understaffed at center because of a wave of injuries to their offensive line. McGovern made eight starts for the Jets last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He didn’t make their final roster this year and signed with the team’s practice squad after being cut. Though McGovern struggled before the injury in 2023, he is still one of the best options a team can find off the street this late into the season. McGovern could also take some reps at guard if needed, though he hasn’t done so in more than a few years.

McGovern suffered a dislocated knee cap in the Jets’ Week 8 win over the Giants and will now miss at least the next four games. Backup Wes Schweitzer, who replaced McGovern exited a few plays later with an injury and has also been placed on injured reserve with a calf injury. The Jets will be down to their fourth-string center heading into Week 9’s contest against the Chargers and will likely bring in a free agent at some point this week.

According to Rapoport “there’s a chance” McGovern doesn’t need surgery, but he will seek a second opinion to determine what to do next. For now, McGovern is considered week-to-week, which means he’ll be out for Week 9 against the Chargers. The Jets could be down to their third or fourth string center after third-string center Wes Schweitzer also left with a leg injury.

McGovern was filling in at center for Joe Tippman, who is inactive for Week 8 with an injury of his own. Shortly after McGovern went down, third-string center Wes Schweitzer suffered an apparent leg injury. He was unable to walk off under his own power and appears unlikely to return. Xavier Newman, who is not a center by trade, took over at center. His first snap to Zach Wilson was fumbled.

The Jets felt they would be forced to move on from their starting center this offseason, expecting McGovern to command big money on the free agent market. That interest never fully materialized, opening the door for a return to New York for his fourth consecutive season starting at center. After starting off his career on rocky ground, McGovern has developed into an above average center over the previous two seasons, receiving positive marks in both run-blocking and pass-blocking metrics by Pro Football Focus in each season. The move maintains continuity along the offensive line for the Jets, who now have all five starters return from a season ago.

McGovern’s exit interview with the team “didn’t include discussions of a contract extension,” according to Hughes. Moving on from McGovern wouldn’t come as a surprise with the Jets clearing cap space to land a veteran quarterback. The Broncos have been linked as a landing spot for McGovern.

McGovern avoided a dreaded ACL injury but is still speaking a second opinion on if he needs surgery. The Bucs just hung seven sacks on Carolina and now face a depleted New York offensive line. This isn’t going to be pretty. No Jets player can be trusted as a viable fantasy option this week.

Both Breshad Perriman (ankle) and McGovern are expected to miss Week 3 against the Colts. McGovern will be replaced by Josh Andrews moving forward. Fortunately for fantasy players, there’s no need to roster a single name on the Jets at this time.

The Jets also ruled out backup corner Arthur Maulet. Nothing has gone right for the Jets today including poor play on the field and a slew of injuries. McGovern signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Jets in March. His absence could hurt the Jets’ rushing output but there are hardly any players worth considering given their offensive struggles through two weeks.

McGovern will get $18 million guaranteed as the Jets desperately try to address their below-average offensive line with other free agents landing elsewhere. Sam Darnold needs a better supporting cast to take another leap forward, and McGovern is an okay first step but more pieces are needed. McGovern started 31-of-32 possible games for the Broncos over the last two seasons.