The New York Jets have a really good team. They have an elite future Hall of Fame quarterback, a stellar top of the league defense and a group of weapons that is better than most of the league even with the loss of Corey Davis.

There is that one thing that is the mole on the otherwise perfect face. Their offensive tackle position.

I have written extensively this offseason about the issues surrounding the OT position as it was a glaring need to me from the outside. Apparently, it was a glaring need to those in the building as well.

It is no secret the New York Jets were poised to take an OT, likely Broderick Jones out of the University of Georgia, in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. While Will McDonald has looked every bit the part of an NFL pass rusher in his preseason action, the Jets had their sights set on a cornerstone left tackle to replace the 37-year-old Duane Brown or the always injured Mekhi Becton.

But the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick did what they do best and screwed the Jets but trading back with the Pittsburgh Steelers on draft night ensuring the Jets would be left without a tackle in round one of the draft.

But that wasn’t the only attempt the New York Jets made this off season to acquire a cornerstone left tackle for their 39-year-old quarterback.

Appearing on the Cincinnati Bengals Talk podcast, new Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. hinted that the Jets were actually offering him more money than the Bengals to come to New York this offseason.

“There [were] a few other teams involved — especially the New York Jets, was the other option as well.” Brown said. “They were kinda going through things with Aaron Rodgers trying to figure all of that out, and honestly they had a better price, but ultimately man, this was the best situation for me.”

Considering the Bengals ended up signing Brown to a four-year, $64 million contract the implication here from Brown is that the Jets offered him more.

“Oh, definitely,” he confirmed when asked if he had higher offers. “It’s never been about the money for me necessarily. It’s about being respected by the organization and on top of being respected by my organization, continuing to carry on my legacy. What I leave behind in this game is most important to me. When people talk about Orlando Brown 30 years from now, hopefully they talk about how great of a guy I was, how awesome of a football player I was, and how many Super Bowls I was able to be a part of.”

Considering the Jets had yet to acquire Aaron Rodgers and Joe Burrow is the man in Cincy for the foreseeable future, it is hard to argue with Brown’s logic in choosing the Bengals over the Jets. But what could have been…

The fact that the Jets were willing to part with a huge chunk of money or a first-round selection tells you what they think of the current tackle situation. Duane Brown has now returned to practice and Mekhi Becton is getting a legitimate chance to earn the starting right tackle job.

It would be foolish for the Jets to count on either guy for a full 17-game season, plus whatever playoff run the team has in its sights, but least we know now it wasn’t from lack of trying. 

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