The New York Jets’ latest target was part of the Bengals’ run to the Super Bowl last season
Improvements on the offensive line are the cat’s meow if you’re the New York Jets.
Riley Reiff, most recently of the Cincinnati Bengals, is meeting with Jets brass on Thursday as the team seeks to bolster its offensive line depth, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Free-agent OT Riley Reiff, the former Lions’ 2013 first-round pick who spent last season with the Bengals, is visiting today with the New York Jets, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 9, 2022
The Iowa alum and collegiate All-American spent last year with the Bengals, making 12 starts before an ankle injury ended his campaign prematurely, keeping him out of the postseason that ended in Super Bowl LVI.
Reiff, 33, began his NFL career as a first-round pick of Detroit’s in 2012 (23rd overall) and spent five seasons there before playing four in Minnesota. Pro Football Focus graded Reiff at a mid-range tally of 67.3 in his shortened season.
Improvements on the offensive line have been a priority for a Jets team trying to make franchise quarterback Zach Wilson as comfortable as possible in his second season under center. Laken Tomlinson, formerly of San Francisco, is penciled in as the team’s starting left guard. They also brought in Louisiana tackle Max Mitchell in the fourth round of April’s draft.
Reiff spent last season as the Bengals’ primary right tackle. Though George Fant and 2020 first-round pick Mekhi Becton are expected to return as starters for the Jets, the team could be looking for insurance behind him. Chuma Edoga and Mitchell are penciled in as the primary backups to Becton and Fant while 2021 undrafted free agent Parker Ferguson will also be fighting for a roster spot come training camp.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
