Report: Jets Discussing An Extension With RT Austin Howard

Update:

Manish Mehta of The Daily News reports that the Jets have begun negotiations with impending free agent RT Austin Howard regarding a long-term extension.

———-

Rich Cimini of ESPN New York expects the Jets to make a “strong push” to re-sign RT Austin Howard in the coming weeks.

“Howard, still only 27 (by opening day), is the kind of player you want to keep in your program,” Cimini writes. “He’s a two-year starter with many good years of football ahead of him, and he undoubtedly would draw considerable interest on the open market.”

Cimini mentions that Howard could end up securing a similar contract to that of Patriots RT Sebastian Vollmer who wound up signing a four-year deal worth $17 million that included $8.5 million guaranteed last year.

Right tackles haven’t fared all that well on the open market, so this look like a reasonable comparison for Howard who rated as the No. 47 qualifying tackle in the league last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Cimini also believes the Jets should consider bringing back G Willie Colon as well, although he believes they can probably wait take a “wait-and-see approach” with him.

We have Howard listed as the No. 61 player in our Top 100 Free Agents list.