Focusing on their offensive line, the New York Jets addressed two positions on Tuesday, agreeing to terms with center Connor McGovern and left guard Alex Lewis, league sources said.
McGovern, a three-year starter for the Denver Broncos, will receive a three-year, $27 million contract that includes an $18 million guarantee, a source confirmed. The terms were first reported by the NFL Network.
Earlier Tuesday, the Jets finalized a contract with Lewis, who started 12 games for them last season. The contract will be three years for $18.6 million, including a $6 million guarantee, a source said.
The Jets got the rebuilding on their offensive line started Monday night, finalizing an agreement with former Seattle Seahawks left tackle George Fant. His contract is three years, $27.3 million, including an $8.9 million guarantee.
In a span of 24 hours, the Jets have acquired three starters for nearly $33 million in guaranteed money. General manager Joe Douglas identified the offensive line as a primary need. The Jets finished 32nd in total offense and 31st in rushing and allowed 52 sacks.
McGovern, who was a fifth-round pick by the Broncos in the 2016 draft, has started games at both guard and center. In 2019, Mike Munchak's first season as Denver's offensive line coach, McGovern was moved to center full time and was in the starting lineup right from the beginning of the team's offseason work last spring and summer. He started all 16 games last season and finished as one of just three players in the league who were not flagged with a penalty.
Lewis and Fant will comprise the left side of the Jets' offensive line. The Jets still might upgrade at right guard, where longtime starter Brian Winters might be a cap casualty if he doesn't rework his contract. There's also a good chance the Jets will draft a tackle with the 11th pick.
The Jets acquired Lewis before the 2019 season in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens. He appeared in 15 games for the Jets and made 12 starts, solidifying the left guard position after Kelechi Osemele was lost for the season after just three games because of a right shoulder injury.
Lewis, who turns 28 on April 21, was a fourth-round draft pick of the Ravens in 2016. He struggled to stay healthy with the Ravens, appearing in just 20 games in three seasons, including 18 starts. He missed the entire 2017 season because of a shoulder injury.
ESPN's Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.