Jets Rumors: Alex Lewis, Connor McGovern Sign Contracts as NY Focuses On OL

Having already agreed to a deal with left tackle George Fant, the New York Jets will sign two more offensive linemen this offseason.

The New York Daily News' Manish Mehta reported the team agreed to re-sign guard Alex Lewis on a three-year, $18.6 million deal. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, center Connor McGovern also agreed to a three-year pact, worth $27 million.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Adam Schefter reported Monday that Fant will put pen to paper on a three-year, $30 million contract.

It's clear what the front office prioritized this offseason.

New York ranked 31st in adjusted line yards and 30th in adjusted sack rate in 2019, per Football Outsiders.

The team had looked to make a big jump on offense in Sam Darnold's second season last year with Le'Veon Bell, Jamison Crowder and Kelechi Osemele all arriving as free agents.

However, the Jets averaged a league-worst 273 yards per game. Bell's 3.2 yards per carry were a career low as well.

Some of New York's options to strengthen the offensive line this offseason dried up before the free-agent negotiating window opened Monday.

The Washington Redskins placed the franchise tag on right guard Brandon Scherff on Saturday, and the Indianapolis Colts agreed to a contract extension with left tackle Anthony Castonzo on Sunday. On Monday, right tackle Jack Conklin agreed to sign a three-year, $42 million deal with the Cleveland Browns, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.

Still, McGovern should provide some stability on the interior.

Lewis' return means there wil be a level of continuity after he made 12 starts and played 15 games in 2019.

The structure of his contract will allow the Jets to pivot this time next offseason. ESPN's Rich Cimini reported only $6 million is guaranteed, so he'll need to prove himself in 2020 to remain in the long-term picture.