The New York Jets are 3rd in the AFC East with a 6-9 record. Despite having an elite defense, their offense has been an utter disappointment. The reason behind their offensive failures is the struggling offensive line.
Their offensive line has allowed 56 hurries, 58 quarterback hits, 175 pressures, a pressure percentage of 28%, and 61 sacks through 15 games. To put this into perspective, they allow the third-most hurries, the sixth-most quarterback hits, the most pressures, the highest pressure percentage, and the second-most sacks.
The Jets played the majority of the season without their Pro Bowl left tackle, Duane Brown, who was recently placed on season-ending injured reserve.
The New York Jets left tackle battled a shoulder injury last season.
Duane Brown injured his shoulder during practice and was placed on injured reserve to start the 2022 season and missed the first four games.
He returned in Week 5 and started the next 12 games while battling a torn rotator cuff. He was later placed on injured reserve and missed their season finale.
He finished the season with 744 offensive snaps, six penalties, one sack allowed, and a 57.8 PFF Grade.
Brown was limited to five games this season.
Brown underwent shoulder surgery during the offseason. He was placed on the Active/Pup List on July 22.
Once he passed his physical, he was activated off the PUP List just in time for the regular season.
Brown started the first two games at left tackle. He sustained a hip injury in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve. It took him nine weeks to be activated off injured reserve.
He returned in Week 12 but played in a limited capacity for the next three weeks, playing in ten offensive and ten special teams snaps.
New York placed him on injured reserve because of a back injury that caused him to be out for the last two weeks.
He finished the season with 111 offensive snaps, one penalty, two sacks, and a 47.9 PFF Grade.
Who replaced Brown this season?
Mekhi Becton started the first two games at right tackle and moved to left tackle after Brown’s injury.
Despite being in a contract year, Becton struggled this season. He has 13 penalties, 11 sacks allowed, and has a 56.6 PFF Grade.
New York will likely let Mekhi Becton walk and draft their left tackle of the future in the 1st round in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Is this the end of Duane Brown’s career?
Duane Brown is 38 years old. He doesn’t have much gas left in the tank and will likely retire at the end of the season.
If he decides not to retire, teams could be interested in him being their swing tackle. His days as a great starting offensive tackle are over.
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