Jets address key need, re-sign center Connor McGovern

The New York Jets re-signed durable center Connor McGovern on Monday, addressing one of the team’s major needs before the NFL draft this week.

McGovern has been the Jets’ starting center the past three seasons, starting 48 games and missing only two since signing as a free agent in 2020.

Contract terms weren’t immediately available.

The Jets will have the No. 15 overall pick in the draft, which begins Thursday night, along with No. 43 in the second round after agreeing to terms on a deal to acquire quarterback Aaron Rodgers from Green Bay. New York was thought to be interested in the top centers as a potential pick in the second round.

Meanwhile, McGovern tested free agency and the Jets signed versatile guard/center Wes Schweitzer, who projects as a backup. They also showed some interest in former Tennessee center Ben Jones before announcing Monday they were bringing back McGovern.

The veteran, who turns 30 on Thursday, was the only player on the Jets last season to take every snap on offense, and the first to do so for New York since left tackle Kelvin Beachum and right guard Brian Winters did so in 2018.

McGovern was drafted by Denver in the fifth round out of Missouri in 2016. He began his NFL career at right guard before moving to center in his third season with the Broncos. McGovern signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Jets to be their starting center during the 2020 offseason.

McGovern’s return gives the Jets four of five primary starters from last season, including guards Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker, and left tackle Duane Brown. Right tackle is the one major question mark with Mekhi Becton (knee) and Max Mitchell (blood clots) coming back and potentially competing with a rookie for the spot.

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