Ryan Kalil Returns to Play Center with Jets

Former Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil has unretired. The New York Jets confirmed it when they announced they had reached an agreement with the player.

The signing of Ryan Kalil addresses what many football pundits had considered a weakness on the Jets offensive line.

The deal agreed to by Kalil and the Jets is for one year and $8.4 million and includes substantial incentives. Last season with Carolina, Kalil earned $7.5 million.

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Kalil (34), will take a physical Friday and could practice for the first time as a Jet on Saturday.

New York contacted Kalil a couple of weeks ago attempting to determine the center’s interest in returning to the game. Jets front office personnel and coaches believe Kalil’s experience can help Sam Darnold, their second year quarterback. Donald continues to learn the offense of new head coach Adam Gase.

Nick Mangold, who was the starting center for 11 seasons with the Jets prior to retiring following the 2016 season, posted a tweet that supported the Jets decision to sign the former Panthers’ center.

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Kalil has been a Pro Bowl selection five times and a first-team All Pro twice, but retired following the 2018 season after playing 12 seasons with Carolina.

The Jets looked for a free-agent center during the offseason but decided to go with incumbent Jonotthan Harrison, who finished the 2018 season as the starter after replacing the ineffective and injured Spencer Long.

Harrison received praise from Gase on Monday. The Jets head coach said Harrison and Darnold have done well taking control of the offense and have outstanding communication between them.

Harrison has started 26 games at center between time with the Jets and Indianapolis, while Kalil has 145 starts and was an All-Pro in 2015