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
