New York Jets add Billy Turner to further bolster offensive line depth
After selecting two offensive linemen in the NFL draft this past weekend, the New York Jets have added yet another piece to their offensive line.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Jets have signed free agent Billy Turner to a one-year deal worth up to $3.15 million.
The #Jets are signing veteran OL Billy Turner to a 1-yr deal worth up to $3.15 million, per source.
It’s the latest reunion with Aaron Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett, who coached Turner in Green Bay and Denver. Turner has 75 career starts.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 1, 2023
Turner is 31 years old and will turn 32 this October. A third-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2014, Turner is a highly versatile lineman who has logged over 200 snaps at four different positions over the course of his nine-year career. He’s played 2,157 snaps at right tackle, 2,127 snaps at right guard, 494 snaps at left guard, and 263 snaps at left tackle. Center is the only position on the offensive line Turner has not played.
Turner has spent the last four seasons playing under current Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. From 2019-21, Turner played for the Green Bay Packers while Hackett was the offensive coordinator there. Turner manned the right guard, right tackle, and left tackle positions during his Green Bay tenure.
Aaron Rodgers is a big fan of Turner’s. In October 2021, Rodgers called Turner “the unsung hero” of Green Bay’s offensive line and “a master of his craft”. Rodgers also stated that Turner deserved Pro Bowl consideration.
Aaron Rodgers had this to say about Billy Turner in October 2021 pic.twitter.com/pmbcpC3GaV
— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) May 1, 2023
In 2022, Turner followed Hackett to Denver when he became the head coach of the Broncos. For Denver, Turner lined up at right tackle in all eight of his appearances (seven starts).
The Jets’ offensive line is loaded with depth. Here are the key names on the offensive line depth chart at the moment:
- Tackle: Mekhi Becton, Duane Brown, Max Mitchell, Carter Warren (R), Billy Turner (FA), Cedric Ogbuehi (re-signed)
- Interior: Laken Tomlinson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Joe Tippmann (R), Connor McGovern (re-signed), Wes Schweitzer (FA), Trystan Colon (FA)
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Glad to see Joe Douglas bound and determined to prevent anything like last season’s rash of injuries derailing this season. I’m liking our depth. I don’t know who gets cut. Ogbuehi and probably Colon.
Good to see much better OL depth this year. CAN WE JUST START THE SEASON?? I can’t lie, I’m excited.
I like the approach of having a close circle of people who know and trust each other on the offense. That’s what the Jets kind of have on defense with Saleh, but they lacked that with OC LaFleur who apparently had bad people skills if his relationships with the receivers are any indication. Who knows if it will lead to success, but at least everyone should be on the same page. That can only help the underperformers like Tomlinson, Mims, and even Wilson if he should have to play.
I like LaFleur, but you hit the nail on the head, he lacked the people skills for sure. I did notice in his pressers he was a bit “edgy” and can see how a young group could struggle with his personality. I still think he’ll be a good coach, maybe he’s just young and needs to learn, clearly Hackett is well liked by the guys who play for him, both as a teacher and person. Players need to trust their coaches as you mentioned, I hope you are right and we see more of it on offense.
Ok, so they aren’t keeping 12 offensive linemen right? My feeling is they are going into this open minded and are going to get the best 5 out there.