After Sunday’s 32-25 victory over the Jaguars, Aaron Rodgers went out of his way to praise one group of Jets.
“I want to say one more time, the offensive line had an outstanding game, and I had all day to throw,” Rodgers said. “Big shout out to the big boys. I’m going to love them up on the bus.”
It was easy to overlook the job the Jets offensive line did after the fireworks provided by Rodgers and Davante Adams in the second half.
But Rodgers was right.
The line did give him all day to throw.
The Jets’ offensive line helped protect Aaron Rodgers during their win on Dec. 15.Getty Images
Alijah Vera-Tucker, pictured on Sept. 27, is under contract next season with the Jets.Bill Kostroun for the NY Post
He only faced six pressures and was sacked once by a Jaguars defense that has two good edge rushers in Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
In a season where not much has gone right for the Jets, the offensive line has become a bright spot.
Former general manager Joe Douglas struggled to fix the offensive line during his time with the team, partly from personnel mistakes like drafting Mekhi Becton or signing Laken Tomlinson in free agency and partly from bad injury luck.
But it looks like Douglas got the line right in his last try at it and it may be his parting gift to the Jets.
The Jets have four offensive linemen who should be back next year and one free agent who also may return.
Left tackle Olu Fashanu, left guard John Simpson, center Joe Tippmann and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker are all under contract for next year.
Right tackle Morgan Moses is a free agent, but he could be re-signed.
The Jets could have some building blocks for years with young players in Fashanu (22), Tippmann (23) and Vera-Tucker (25).
Olu Fashanu, pictured during the Jets’ practice on Nov. 27, was their first-round pick in April’s draft.Bill Kostroun for the NY Post
Simpson is not that much older at 27 years old.
One key for the Jets this season has been continuity.
Unlike last year when the Jets had 13 different offensive line combinations, they have only had four this season.
Joe Douglas addresses reporters on Aug. 29.Bill Kostroun for the NY Post
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Simpson and Tippmann have started every game.
They lost left tackle Tyron Smith to a neck injury, but Fashanu has been an upgrade since replacing the veteran.
Douglas set out to fix the line in the offseason, signing Simpson, Smith and Moses and drafting Fashanu with the No. 11 overall pick.
Smith was a disappointment but the other three players have all been strong additions.
“It’s an awesome testament to what the front office has done and put together as far as roster concern,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said. “For these guys to have the opportunity to play together for a long, long time that’s the special. Teams in this league that have that cohesion, that time on task for an offensive line perspective, in my opinion, it’s the offensive line and it’s the defensive secondary, when you can get those two groups together for an extended amount of time and they learn each other at the highest level, that’s where championship level football starts and ends.
“I think Detroit is a great demonstration of what that’s supposed to look like, their offensive line, obviously talented and obviously they’ve invested a lot into it, but they’ve had a lot of time together now. So, it’s critical, you want to win a championship, start with your offensive line.”
Fashanu, who was drafted out of Penn State, has looked like he could be a cornerstone for the team.
John Simpson is pictured during the Jets’ practice on Oct. 3.Bill Kostroun for the NY Post
Joe Tippmann celebrates after the Jets defeated the Texans on Oct. 31.Bill Kostroun for the NY Post
He threw a key block on Hines-Allen on Sunday when Rodgers connected with Adams for a 71-yard touchdown.
The rookie has impressed his teammates.
“He’s a stud,” Simpson said of Fashanu. “He’s balling right now. They drafted him in the first round to do exactly what he’s doing. He’s a guy who came in from Day 1, put his head down and went to work. He didn’t really complain, never hear him complaining. He’s a guy that is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. That’s all you can ask from a guy like that, for sure.”
