In Florham Park, New Jersey, Connor McGovern, a veteran center, watched the New York Jets in their season opener and passionately supported his former teammates despite not being on the team at the time. His loyalty to the Jets led him to consider coming out of retirement and eventually signing with the team’s practice squad. McGovern, who had played with the Jets for the past four years, felt a strong bond with the team and did not want to miss the chance to be part of their potential playoff run.
McGovern had been the starting center for the Jets until a knee injury forced him out of last season. During his absence, Joe Tippmann took over and performed well, maintaining his position as the team’s center. After becoming a free agent and recovering from his knee injury, McGovern received an opportunity to return to the Jets, a team he missed dearly, and promptly accepted.
Originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2016, McGovern spent his first four NFL seasons with them before joining the Jets in 2020. Despite facing unexpected challenges during his rehabilitation process, McGovern remained determined to return to the field. He stated that the rehabilitation took longer than he anticipated, mentioning how age has possibly slowed down his healing process.
Staying connected with his Jets teammates throughout the offseason, McGovern shared a special moment with quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a golf outing in Las Vegas. He expressed his strong sense of belonging to the Jets organization and emphasized his pride in being part of the team. The opportunity to rejoin the Jets, even on their practice squad, was one that McGovern couldn’t pass up due to his deep admiration for the team and his former teammates.