The New York Jets made another move to solidify their young core this week, signing tight end Jeremy Ruckert to a two-year, $10 million extension. This comes on the heels of a similar deal for center Josh Myers, who inked a two-year, $11 million extension just five days earlier. Together, these back-to-back extensions highlight a clear shift in how the Jets are doing business under first-year general manager Darren Mougey - and it’s a shift that speaks volumes about the culture they're trying to build.
Rewarding Growth from Within
Let’s start with the bigger picture: the Jets are sending a message. This isn’t just about locking up depth pieces.
It’s about rewarding internal development, accountability, and players who step up when the situation demands it. That’s how you start to rebuild a locker room culture - not just with big-name free agents or splashy draft picks, but by recognizing the guys already in the building who are earning their stripes.
Josh Myers is a perfect example. Signed to a modest one-year deal in the offseason, the former Green Bay Packer was initially brought in as a depth piece for the interior offensive line.
He wasn’t expected to start, and he certainly wasn’t expected to be a long-term fixture. But injuries - namely to Alijah Vera-Tucker - forced the Jets to shuffle the deck, and Myers found himself as the starting center to open the season.
Now, let’s be clear: Myers hasn’t exactly been a breakout star. His pass-blocking grade sits at 56.9, ranking 25th among qualified centers, and his run-blocking grade isn’t much better at 56.5, good for 27th.
But what he has done is show up, do the job, and avoid being a liability - which, given the circumstances, is something the Jets clearly value. His extension isn’t about elite production; it’s about rewarding reliability and professionalism in a season that’s demanded a lot from unexpected contributors.
Ruckert’s Redemption Arc
Then there’s Jeremy Ruckert, who’s quietly put together a bounce-back campaign after a rocky 2024. Last season, Ruckert struggled to find his footing, finishing the year with just 105 receiving yards and earning one of the lowest run-blocking grades among tight ends - a brutal 39.0, second-worst in the league.
Fast forward to 2025, and Ruckert’s showing real progress. Through 14 games, he’s already set career highs with 20 catches for 163 yards.
That’s not eye-popping production, but it’s a meaningful step forward. More importantly, he’s made strides in the area that hurt him most last year - run blocking.
His grade has climbed to 57.7, which now places him 28th out of 50 qualified tight ends. That’s solid TE2 territory, and a sign that he’s trending in the right direction.
The Jets clearly took notice. By locking Ruckert up now, they’re not just rewarding what he’s done - they’re betting on continued growth. It’s a smart, calculated move for a team that’s looking to build sustainable success, not just chase short-term fixes.
Setting the Tone for the Future
What we’re seeing here is a front office that’s being intentional about how it builds - and more importantly, who it builds around. These aren’t blockbuster deals, but they’re culture-setting ones. When players see that hard work, improvement, and stepping up when called upon can lead to real rewards, it changes the dynamic inside the locker room.
This is how you set a tone. This is how you build trust. And this is how you start to turn the corner as a franchise.
The Jets still have a long road ahead, no doubt about it. But moves like these - smart, steady, and rooted in internal accountability - are how you lay the groundwork for something bigger.
And if Mougey and company keep this up, don’t be surprised if more players start rising to the occasion. The door’s open.
Now it’s up to the rest of the roster to walk through it.