Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) talks with guards Alijah Vera-Tucker (75) and John Simpson (76) and center Joe Tippmann (66) before a snap against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
When the Jets signed free agent center Kevin Mawae back in 1998, nobody knew that it would be the start a nineteen-year run of elite center play for Gang Green. Mawae, now a hall of famer, spent eight seasons at the pivot for the Jets as arguably the best center in the NFL. When he departed after the 2005 season, there wasn’t the dropoff that many had anticipated.
With the 29th pick in the first round of the 2006 draft, the Jets selected Ohio State center Nick Mangold. The potential future Hall of Famer stepped right and and didn’t miss a beat. After Mawae’s eight-year run, Mangold occupied the center spot for eleven seasons before walking away.
When all was said and done, over that nineteen year stretch, Mawae and Mangold combined for seven first-team All-Pro nods, 1 second-team and thirteen pro bowls. An incredible run indeed.
Since then it’s been a carousel of mostly poor center play with the likes of Wesley Johnson, Spencer Long, Jonatthan Harrison and a washed up Ryan Kalil manning the position before veteran Connor McGovern brought some stability back in 2020. But now it appears the Jets have their next long-term answer in Joe Tippmann.
Arguably the top center in the 2023 class, Tippmann started fourteen games as a rookie at both right guard and center and more than held his own. By season’s end he was named to the Associated Press All-Rookie team in addition to impressing the aforementioned Mangold.
Now in the early going of his sophomore season, Tippmann looks to have taken the next step from finding his way to paving the way.
Against the New England Patriots, the Jets had plenty of success running the football, largely due to Tippmann, and were able to give quarterback Aaron Rodgers plenty of time to throw.
The folks over at pro football focus have also liked what they’ve seen from Tippmann thus far. Currently ranked fourth overall among centers, first in pass blocking and sixth as a run blocker, the Wisconsin product looks to be fulfilling his potential.
While some were concerned with Tippman’s ability to play center at 6′ 6”, worrying he may lack the necessary bend for the position, that hasn’t been an issue thus far with no reason to expect it to become one in the future.
In fact, it’s looking like his future is going to be filled with many of the accolades that were earned by Jets centers of the past.
