An interesting development from the New York Jets’ Organized Team Activities (OTAs) has sparked speculation about a potential shake-up on the offensive line. Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic noted in his OTA observations that a true battle may be brewing at the center position between incumbent Joe Tippmann and recent free-agent addition Josh Myers — a possibility that GM Darren Mougey had hinted at during the league meetings back in March.
During his appearance on the “Flight Plan” podcast, Rosenblatt elaborated on what he’s seen behind the scenes.
“While we’re restricted from disclosing which players are working with the starters or backups in practice, I can say with confidence that there’s going to be a real competition at center,” Rosenblatt shared.
He acknowledged that fans might find this surprising, given the surface-level details: Tippmann was a second-round draft pick, while Myers signed a modest one-year deal in free agency. Still, Rosenblatt pointed out that Myers brings more experience and even has a history with quarterback Justin Fields from their college days at Ohio State.
Tippmann has started 31 of his 33 games since becoming the Jets’ starting center, whereas Myers comes in with 56 starts over four seasons with the Green Bay Packers. The Jets’ decision to sign Myers raised some eyebrows, though the initial skepticism was tempered by the modest $2 million deal, signaling a backup role.
Myers’ contract ranks just 20th among NFL centers in terms of annual salary, but his presence is more than just depth insurance. Despite a down year in Green Bay, Rosenblatt describes him as generally solid. Meanwhile, while Tippmann is viewed as a high-upside athlete with intelligence and mobility, Rosenblatt believes his performance hasn’t quite lived up to fan expectations.
“He’s got potential, no doubt,” Rosenblatt said, “but I don’t necessarily see star-level play just yet.”
In the end, Rosenblatt still leans toward Tippmann retaining the starting job but sees this competition as valuable — whether it’s to challenge Tippmann, bring the best out of both players, or ease Justin Fields’ transition into the offense.
Head coach Aaron Glenn has emphasized open competition across all positions. While Tippmann might still be viewed as a foundational player, it’s clear that Myers won’t be backing down quietly. The battle at center will be a storyline to monitor closely during training camp.