The New York Jets will now turn their attention to free-agent Graham Glasgow after the Joe Thuney franchise tag.
Bill Belichick ruined the Joe Thuney-to-the-New York Jets narrative early Monday when he decided to franchise tag his four-year veteran. For the offensive line-hungry Jets, it was a blow not only in perhaps signing Thuney, but also what it meant for the offensive guard free-agent market.
Now, the other big-name guard, Graham Glasgow, will see his market explode. And, at least according to one report from SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano, the Jets will turn their attention to the Detroit Lions unrestricted free agent.
Glasgow, 27, is a third-round Michigan product who, similarly to Thuney, will be entering his fifth NFL season. Over the last two seasons, he’s played center for the Lions, but he also has experience at both left and right guard. That versatility would be a welcomed attribute for a Jets unit needing everything.
Of course, Joe Douglas is a former offensive lineman who immediately and publicly discussed the idea that football starts with the “quarterback and both lines.” That, along with sprinkling in the idea of a solid culture, has been the Douglas battle cry since taking over for Mike Maccagnan last year.
The Jets haven’t drafted a first-round offensive lineman since 2006 (Nick Mangold, D’Brickashaw Ferguson) and have failed to snag a second-round big heavy every year since 2010 (Vlad Ducasse).
Bolstering the most important five-man unit in sports remains the most important job for Douglas and the Jets this offseason and Graham Glasgow may be an important piece to the puzzle.
