The New York Jets’ offense experienced a nightmare scenario last season. Last season, their offensive line was the lone strength on an otherwise lost season.

Free agency, though, has forced the team to say goodbye to two of its better players on the unit.

Starting guard John Simpson opened free agency by signing a three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. A few hours later, former first-round pick Alijah Vera-Tucker shocked fans when he agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract with the rival New England Patriots.

The departures of both guards leave a massive hole on the left side of the offensive line — one that the Jets must address in free agency and potentially in the 2026 NFL draft.

While the first wave of free agency has come and gone, New York still has options on the open market to address those needs. Fortunately, there are three options that should intrigue the team moving forward.

Jets’ guard options

There are plenty of players with veteran experience who can come in and start right away for the Jets at left guard. In some ways, those players could be seen as upgrades to the often-injured Vera-Tucker and the solid (but not great) Simpson.

Let’s go through the list…

Elgton Jenkins

Elgton Jenkins was recently released by the Green Bay Packers and can negotiate with new teams immediately. There will be an incentive for the former second-round pick to move back to his natural position as well.

Jenkins is a two-time Pro Bowler but moved to center in his final year in Green Bay, which was viewed as a head-scratching move. He just turned 30, but he is the kind of veteran presence that can get the Jets’ offensive line to play even better than they did last season.

As New York begins their search to replace AVT and Simpson, Jenkins should be at the top of its list as a Pro Bowl player with plenty of upside still.

Greg Van Roten

It makes sense for the Jets to target an aging veteran for their starting guard role. Analysts could compare it to when the organization signed Alan Faneca from Pittsburgh in 2008 — an aging veteran surrounded by young offensive linemen, yet with much lower production.

Greg Van Roten isn’t as good as Faneca (not by a long shot), but he is a former Jet himself. He’s also a calming veteran presence in the interior who is very good in pass protection (22nd-best guard per PFF).

Van Roten may be 36 years old, but he’s coming off a very strong season and would be an immediate plug-and-play starter.

Chris Paul

The numbers were not kind to Chris Paul last season with the Washington Commanders. The 27-year-old was ranked as the 73rd best guard out of 81 players and was one of the worst run blockers in the league.

But there’s a reason why the Jets may have interest.

First, his pass blocking was exceptional. PFF graded him out as the fifth-best pass blocker in the league, and that could be a good blend with Olu Fashanu’s pass-blocking prowess.

He’s also someone who won’t cost an arm and a leg — a cheaper option should the Jets want to splurge elsewhere.

New York also needs to address the depth of its line. Could a combination of Paul and Van Roten be enough to solve their interior concerns?

It will certainly be on the table over the next few weeks.

Honorable Mention: Wyatt Teller

If the Jets want to go big with their offensive line signings, Wyatt Teller is probably the top name on the available list. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler and a former second-team All-Pro. If New York can get him back to that level of play, their offensive line could be a top-five unit.

The only issue is that the Jets won’t be the only suitor for Teller. Houston, the New York Giants, and many other teams in need of an offensive line will be interested in his services.

If Gang Green wants him, they’ll have to open up the checkbook.