One day after Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio broke the story that Tennessee Titans right tackle Jack Conklin would be signing with the New York Jets in free agency this month, another report is refuting the move.
Adam Schefter of ESPN tweeted out that Conklin will say ‘thanks but no thanks’ to the offensive-line starved Jets.
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
We found Florio’s scoop to be a curious one since free agency is still 16 days away. Why would Conklin pick a team like the Jets without even testing the the free agent waters and field other offers.
The rumor brought about speculation of possible tampering by the Jets in pursuing Conklin but Florio did not reveal the source of the rumor.
Conklin was the eighth overall player selected in the 2016 NFL Draft and started all 16 games in 2016 and 2017. He was injured in 2018, missing seven contests but started all 16 games at right tackle for the Titans last season.
Conklin is likely to command a top salary, perhaps as much as $18 million per year. The Jets are currently $52 million under the salary cap.