New York Jets’ free-agent target Jack Conklin reportedly agrees to a three-year deal with the Cleveland Browns.
Another potential New York Jets’ free-agent offensive lineman has signed elsewhere.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Jack Conklin and the Cleveland Browns have agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal with $30 million in guarantees.
Jack Conklin agreed to a 3-year deal with the Browns for $42M with $30M fully guarantee, per @RosenhausSports. He earns $20mil in the first year. Wanted to keep it short due to the projected increases in the salary cap. Conklin will only be 28 when this deal expires.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
Conklin, 25, was a First-Team All-Pro selection his rookie season in 2016. Drafted eighth overall out of Michigan State, he played either left or right tackle for the Tennessee Titans all four of his NFL seasons.
This past year, he anchored down the right side of a team that shocked the world all the way to the AFC Championship Game.
Conklin had been long rumored to wind up with the Jets this free agency season. In fact, folks were debating whether or not $18-$20 million a year was too rich for the newest Brown. His three-year, $42 million deal ($30 million guaranteed) averages out to just $14 million a season.
Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports the Jets did not offer more than the Browns.
The #Jets at no point offered Jack Conklin a contract exceeding the 3-$42m deal he received from the #Browns. He did not take less money to join Cleveland.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 16, 2020
It appears Joe Douglas just didn’t love Conklin as much as the Browns did, which is a surprising move considering the dire state of the Jets offensive line.
With Joe Thuney already franchise tagged and Conklin off the table, Douglas and the Jets continue working on free agent center Graham Glasgow, per reports.
Conklin joins a line in Cleveland that, similarly to New York, desperately needs help in order to pave the way for a young quarterback (Baker Mayfield). Sam Darnold awaits his immediate future as you read this sentence.
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