Kyle Long hasn’t ruled out a return to the field. On Monday, the former Bears Pro Bowl guard said that he’s at least thinking about coming out of retirement. 
[RELATED: Kyle Long Denies Talking To Jets]
“Full transparency I miss football, but at what cost?,” Long tweeted. “[Still,] I’m most likely gonna be on golf courses instead of gridirons”
Long also wrote, “I didn’t retire, I got fired.” The Bears declined Long’s option for 2020, moving on from him after yet another injury-shortened season.
Throughout his career, Long struggled with shoulder, tricep, ankle, and hip injuries. He missed 22 games over his last three seasons, between 2017 and 2019. But, when he was healthy, he was one of the NFL’s top offensive guards. He was top-five in the league in most years, per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics.
Now 31, Long has the itch to resume his career. He says he’ll probably work on his putting instead of his blocking, but he admits that the door is still open.
If the Jets want to welcome Long back to the NFL, they have the cap room to sign him. They currently have about $25MM in available dollars, money that could also be used for edge or cornerback help. Still, they’ve already made significant upgrades on the offensive line by adding first-round pick Mekhi Becton, plus veterans Connor McGovern, Greg Van Roten, and George Fant.
He couldn’t stay healthy, I’d fire him too. Great when healthy
Jets should sign Jason Peters and Kyle Long and cut Winters. Let Peters mentor Becton.
Peters, Van Roten, McGovern, Long, Fant is a major upgrade to the line
Agree on Peters, but not sure about Long. They could spend that money on an edge-rusher or defensive-back instead. There’s no guarantee Long will be in shape or avoid the injury report. I’d still let Winters loose and roll with Lewis instead. It might be a bit of a drop-off, but it’ll be worth it if they can secure Clowney or Logan Ryan
They are not going to pay for either guy. I’m really a big fan of JP for a year no matter what. I wish Jets would sign clowney. best edge since Abraham left.
Griffen wouldn’t be bad either. I think Peters could really help Becton. He’s very talented, but also rather raw
Did you really need to rewrite his golf joke?
Correction: He didn’t miss 22 games the last three seasons he played in 22 games the last three seasons and even that is generous.
He only played the whole game 18 times the last three seasons, 2 times he played in less than half of the snaps due to injury, in one game he was only in for one single snap, and another game only six snaps. For some reason they also didn’t mention 2016 when he only played in six full games and two other games where he played in less than half of the snaps due to injury. Overall in the last four seasons he’s played in 24 full games, 6 games with limited action due to injury, and missed 34 games.
With all that said I am not trying to denigrate him just correct the injury history in this story. When healthy he is a fantastic player and a very charitable man of high character he just hasn’t been healthy for many years.
It’d be cool to see him go play for Oakland like his dad did, but their line is pretty stacked. Maybe Philly and battle against his bro in practice? That’d be cool even if Philly makes me vomit.
He can play for the Raiders but is it even possible to play for Oakland?
Oakland no longer has a team