Multiple reports are stating that injured guard Kelechi Osemele will have shoulder surgery. There was no immediate word as to whether or not this would be season ending surgery. We will find out what the Jets think soon enough if he is inactive this week or if they place him on IR.
Per Over The Cap, it looks like the Jets can walk away from Kelechi Osemele’s contract next season with no dead money. He signed a five year, $58.5 million contract with the Oakland Raiders in 2016. Osemele received $25.4 million in guaranteed base salary and roster bonuses in the first two years of his contract. Even though the trade hasn’t worked out so far, the Jets didn’t pay a big price to acquire Osemele. In order to obtain the 29-year-old, the Jets swapped their fifth-round selection for the Raiders’ sixth-rounder in the 2019 NFL Draft.
The recent play of Alex Lewis minimizes the impact of losing Osemele, although if he was healthy, Alex Lewis could be playing in Brian Winters spot. The offensive line looked much better last week with Darnold back under center. There aren’t a lot of players that they can plan on building around for the long term on the offensive line. Alex Lewis and Chuma Edoga will get a shot the rest of the season to prove that they are part of the long term answer. With the injury to left tackle Kelvin Beachum it looks like Brandon Shell will get a second chance to prove he belongs as well.
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