Conor McDermott has agreed to re-sign with the New York Jets
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the New York Jets are set to re-sign offensive lineman Conor McDermott on a one-year contract. The reported signing would serve as the Jets’ first move of the new NFL year.
The #Jets are re-signing OL Conor McDermott on a 1-year deal, source said, keeping a versatile veteran in the fold.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2022
McDermott, 29, has established a gridiron home of sorts in New York, having joined the team off Buffalo’s waiver wire in October 2019. He entered the league as a sixth-round in two years prior, chosen with the 211th overall selection by the New England Patriots.
The UCLA alum has been a depth option for the Jets over the past three seasons, appearing in 28 games, including six starts. He appeared on 39 percent of the Jets’ offensive snaps last season, setting a new career-high.
Big man TD! @nyjets OL Connor McDermott with the TD! #Jets #TakeFlight #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/JfB4cKgOcj
— Kenny The Sports Guy Podcast (@kenny_sports) December 26, 2021
Though McDermott has often struggled in pass protection (4 sacks allowed in 3 starts last season), he gained a slight cult following amongst Jets fans last December, as he caught what eventually became the game-winning one-yard touchdown on a tackle-eligible play in the Jets’ 26-21 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in their penultimate home game of the 2021-22 season.
With that catch, McDermott became the first Jets offensive lineman to catch a touchdown pass since Jumbo Elliott’s memorable equalizer in a comeback win over Miami in October 2000.
McDermott becomes the first member of the Jets’ 28-man free agent class to re-sign with the team. Other free agents on the offensive line include Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Dan Feeney, and Morgan Moses. While the height of metropolitan role likely serves as a depth option, McDermott’s familiarity with the New York offense potentially strengthened his case to stay and the Jets are likely intrigued by the potential upside a 6-foot-8-inch outside blocker has to offer in both protection and trick plays like the one on display against the Jaguars.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
Audio Version available to members only: Learn more here
You look to upgrade your garbage not keep it around and let it Stink.
Emphasizes the failure of Edoga. Hope this is a start of a few re-Signings in the next couple of days.
Pretty piss poor first move, lets hope its not an indicator of whats to follow, lol. Really was hoping to churn the bottom of the OL department and at least try for some better depth.
Joe likes him for some reason, but I agree. Really? The team needs to do MUCH better and should be looking to replace guys like him with better talent.