The position group most affected by the coronavirus-related circumstances is the offensive line, which is losing valuable time to build chemistry. The issue is exacerbated by the dramatic turnover. The Jets have 16 linemen on the roster, including five new veterans and three rookies. Their opening-day lineup could be entirely different from the 2019 version.
The projected starters are No. 1 pick Mekhi Becton and George Fant at tackle, Connor McGovern at center, Alex Lewis and Greg Van Roten at guard. (Lewis cracked the lineup during the season.) The only possible holdover is Brian Winters, who will compete with Van Roten. Their chemistry needs to be better than last season, when at times they appeared to be social distancing from defensive linemen.
"It's going to be challenging," said Fant, one of the newcomers. "Offensive line play is all about being together, being on one page, and we've got a whole new room. The process is still going right now. We're doing everything virtually. We're just kind of talking, getting to know each other."
Running back Le'Veon Bell took notice of the team's effort to rebuild the line. "Absolutely," he told ESPN colleague Jeremy Fowler in a text message. "Can't wait either."
The projected starters are No. 1 pick Mekhi Becton and George Fant at tackle, Connor McGovern at center, Alex Lewis and Greg Van Roten at guard. (Lewis cracked the lineup during the season.) The only possible holdover is Brian Winters, who will compete with Van Roten. Their chemistry needs to be better than last season, when at times they appeared to be social distancing from defensive linemen.
"It's going to be challenging," said Fant, one of the newcomers. "Offensive line play is all about being together, being on one page, and we've got a whole new room. The process is still going right now. We're doing everything virtually. We're just kind of talking, getting to know each other."
Running back Le'Veon Bell took notice of the team's effort to rebuild the line. "Absolutely," he told ESPN colleague Jeremy Fowler in a text message. "Can't wait either."