Do we count this as full blown silly season just yet? I mean, nothing will ever top the silly season that led to fans believing with absolute certainty that Peyton Manning was going to join the Tennessee Titans as its new starting quarterback. But, between all of this speculation that’s going down with Tom Brady and the Titans, the pressing free agent questions, and now this business about Jack Conklin either signing or not signing with the New York Jets, it’s gotta be a strong contender.
Regardless of whether it’s the Jets or not, Conklin is going to have plenty of suitors, particularly on teams that run the ball heavily. His run blocking ability is far superior to his pass protecting ability, and it makes him one of the best run blocking tackles in the entire NFL. I highly doubt that the Titans are going to be able to keep all of their impending free agents, and Conklin may be the one to go. It’s not as dire a situation as quarterback or running back (and definitely wouldn’t be if the Titans can keep Dennis Kelly in Nashville). Plus, I think Conklin is going to ask for a massive pay day, and someone will give it to him.
From the jump, the Jets’ name was thrown around in relation to Conklin. They are in desperate need of some offensive line help, and logically, they make a lot of sense for Conklin. But, shit picked up when Pro Football Talk actually reported that Conklin plans to sign with the Jets:
Per a league source, one NFL team has been informed that Conklin plans to sign with the Jets when free agency opens on March 18.
How this was announced without some sort of tampering going on absolutely blows my mind. That makes me think that this whole thing might just be hogwash, or somebody somewhere got a holt of the wrong stuff, y’know? ‘Stuff’ being ‘sources’ there….just wanted to work that Mobile leprechaun reference in.
Nonetheless, football Twitter ran wild with it yesterday. That is, until Adam Schefter (I looked for the blue check, too…can never be too safe this time of year (lookin’ at you, Barry McCockiner)) reported the following on his Twitter account:
Titans’ OT Jack Conklin will have many suitors in free agency, but he is not expected to land with the offensive-line-needy Jets, per sources. Jets like him, but the competition for him will be intense and there will be many suitors.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2020
So, what’s the deal? Do we even know anything? Or, are we pretty much where we were in February? Is someone going to get popped for tampering? Or, is this just one big clusterfuck? We’ll find out here in a couple of weeks.
But, for the time being, I say one thing is certain: Jack Conklin is either going to sign with the Jets, or Jack Conklin is NOT going to sign with the Jets.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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