Josh Myers admits he did not know exactly what to expect when he signed a one-year deal with the Jets in March.
Myers was coming off four years as the starting center with the Packers.
The Jets had Joe Tippmann, who had been their starting center for two seasons and was entering his prime.
The two ended up having a competition for the starting job all spring and summer.
Tippmann was declared the winner at the end of training camp, and it looked like Myers would have to wait for his opportunity to play.
The wait did not last long.
Alijah Vera-Tucker suffered a season-ending injury in practice before the Jets’ first game.
Tippmann moved to right guard to replace Vera-Tucker, and Myers was suddenly the starting center.
He has started all 12 games this season and been part of an offensive line that has been pretty strong this season.
Myers said he embraced the competition with Tippmann.
“I feel like I’ve been on the other side of it before,” Myers said. “I don’t want to be a new person somewhere and just start b-tching. That doesn’t get you any respect. That doesn’t earn you any respect. I was more concerned with just putting my nose down and getting to work and earning respect.
“That’s something my dad always used to tell me. You go in there and you try as hard as you can, you study as hard as you can, you put your best foot forward and the results are the results. You can’t do anything about that. That’s something he always used to tell me. I kept that in mind the whole time.”
Myers’ attitude impressed coach Aaron Glenn.
“For him coming in, and he understood exactly the situation, man between both of those guys, they welcomed competition, and those are the type of guys you want on your team,” Glenn said. “They’re not running from competition. … I have a ton of respect for him, I love the way he goes about his business, and he’s done a hell of a job for us this year.”
Myers has been consistent in the middle.
“I think I’ve had a good year,” Myers said. “I’ve got to finish strong but I think I’ve had a solid year.”
Myers will be a free agent again this offseason and it will be interesting to see if the Jets want him back.
He said it has crossed his mind, but he is trying to stay focused on the present.
The Jets signed CB Jordan Clark and QB Brady Cook to the active roster Saturday.
They also elevated DB Tre Brown and DB Nik Needham from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.
They placed CB Jarvis Brownlee and LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball on injured reserve.
LB Cam Jones was ruled out for the game and S Tony Adams was downgraded to doubtful. … G Joe Tippmann was fined $12,172 by the NFL for a low block in last week’s win over the Falcons.
