Connor McGovern delighted with Jets with ‘remarkable’ new look

Connor McGovern has started each of his 48 appearances for the Jets over the past three seasons, and the veteran center will pass the ball to new teammate Aaron Rodgers in Monday night’s season opener against the Bills.

Entering his fourth season with the team, McGovern credits general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh for revamping a roster that finished 2-14 in 2020 and 4-13 the following year.

“That’s a total of 180. There were some good players who left, but they also did a really good job of getting rid of the bad apples,” McGovern said Monday. “There’s no, I don’t know what you want to call it, cancer, a rotten apple or someone rotting the bucket in the locker room. Every player in the locker room is a good person and a great football player. I think that’s extremely important. And then to add to that, everyone is so talented.

“When I came here we were young, we had talent here and there, we had guys going and coming and going. And what Joe Douglas, Saleh and their teams have done to bring this locker room to where it is now is remarkable.

The Jets finished 7-10 last year, but they boasted the fourth-largest defense in the NFL — and offensive and defensive rookies of the year among the top 10 draft picks, Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner — before land Rodgers and several other key pieces. this offseason.

McGovern will center an offensive line with a few changing plays this season, especially on his right with former first-round picks Alijah Vera-Tucker and Mekhi Becton starting at right guard and right tackle, respectively.

Left tackle Duane Brown is also returning after shoulder surgery in the offseason, with Laken Tomlinson at left guard.

“I am happy to be part of it. We had some struggles here early in my career, but now that we’re entering year four, this is the smoothest team I’ve ever been on in my seven years. [NFL] career,” McGovern said. “So I’m really excited.

“It’s just a testimonial, and I’ve said it as many times as I can in every interview I can, I believe in the leadership in this building, in the front office, in the coaches, because they’re doing the right things to transform this organization. around and make it a top organization.