The New York Jets have pulled off a trade ahead of free agency. Here’s why the Kelechi Osemele acquisition is a huge coup for gang green.
The New York Jets entered the offseason with some serious question marks on the offensive line.
They just answered a big one with the acquisition of Pro Bowl guard Kelechi Osemele from the Oakland Raiders, per ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Raiders have an agreement in principle to trade G Kelechi Osemele to the NY Jets, sources tell @josinaanderson and me. Trade cannot be processed until Weds, but two sides have agreement in place. Another Raiders’ trade.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2019
Jets are sending a 2019 fifth-round selection to the Raiders for Kelechi Osemele and a 2019 sixth-rounder.
The Jets were hot on the heels of Kelechi Osemele when he was a free agent back in 2016, but the Raiders won the bidding war. Now the Jets have made up for it three years later.
Osemele is 29 years old, although he will be 30 by the start of the 2019 season. He still has two years left on his contract:
- $10.2 million (2019)
- $11.7 million (2020)
On latest episode of The #Jets Zone w/ @BoyGreen25:
– #NFLCombine recap
– What we know about *NEW* New York Jets uniforms
– @nyjets team reporter @EGreenbergJets stops by chatting Jets 360 coverage, @eallenjets, #NFLDraft targets for #nyj. #JetUp https://t.co/aQ7U1JaxnH— The Jets Zone (@TheJets_Zone) March 7, 2019
Entering the 2019 offseason, the Jets had cut starting center Spencer Long. They also allowed starting guard James Carpenter to hit free agency, while right tackle Brandon Shell is recovering from a serious leg injury that may keep him out well into training camp.
That’s not a recipe for success with a young quarterback behind that offensive line. So the Jets acquired a two-time Pro Bowler in Osemele. It solidifies the guard position for the Jets with Kelechi on one side and Brian Winters on the other.
That leaves still an opening at center, but the Jets do have a backup plan. Earlier this week it was revealed that the Jets have retained the services of Jonotthan Harrison. This past season he started eight games and played over 50 percent of the snaps last season.
