Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold was spotted at the team’s OTA session on Tuesday
For years, former New York Jets center Nick Mangold has wanted to be more involved with the team post-retirement. Mangold is a staple at metropolitan sporting events and has even thrown his hat into the ring for a potential coaching position with the team. It’s hard to find another retired Jets player who’s more enveloped in the community than Mangold.
And on Tuesday, the 11-year NFL veteran was spotted at the team’s OTA session, where he was seen giving pointers to current Jets center Joe Tippmann.
Nick Mangold checking out his New York #Jets today. pic.twitter.com/UIf9RnyAf4
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) June 4, 2024
Nick Mangold at Jets practice today, giving Joe Tippmann advice pic.twitter.com/UrxJksLe5N
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) June 4, 2024
Mangold was mostly seen working with the team’s offensive line. After all, who better to learn from than a two-time first-team All-Pro?
Tippmann, a second-year player from Wisconsin, began his Jets career at guard. He returned to his natural center position for his final 10 rookie-year starts. Now that the team has moved on from Connor McGovern, Tippmann is penciled in as the team’s center of the future.
This isn’t the first time Mangold has shown love for the Wisconsin product. When Tippmann was selected in the 2023 NFL draft, Mangold made sure to reach out to the then-rookie. Mangold was clearly excited about the addition to the team, even gifting Tippmann a bottle of 74 BBQ, created by the Jets legend himself.
Love the pick for the @nyjets with @JoeTippmann. Cant wait to see you in the middle. I know a guy who can get you some @seventyfourbbq. It’ll be waiting in your locker for you.
— Nick Mangold (@nickmangold) April 29, 2023
As for Tippmann, he will have all the help that he can ask for this season. He has elite talent joining him in the trenches, with Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, and John Simpson coming to the team. And, of course, he will be snapping directly to a future first-ballot Hall of Fame player in Aaron Rodgers.
There’s a lot of pressure on Tippmann and the Jets to perform this season. Anything short of a playoff appearance could be seen as a lost season for the team. Yet, with a legend of Mangold’s caliber helping the second-year player, the Jets potentially have yet another staple at the position, following the footsteps of Mangold and Hall of Famer Kevin Mawae in Jets lore.
