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New York Jets: Nick Mangold Reacts to Being Released

By Nick Ziegler

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets center Nick Mangold (74) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets center Nick Mangold (74) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Jets recently made the decision to release center Nick Mangold. This move came as a shock to one of the greatest Jets of all-time.

After a poor 2016 season, the New York Jets are heading into a rebuild. This offseason, the Jets have been getting rid of expensive veterans, as the try to get younger. One of the casualties was center Nick Mangold.

Since being drafted in the first round by the Jets, Mangold has been one of the best players to ever put on a Jets uniform. For years, he was the anchor of a mostly good offense line with him in New York.

As a great player for the organization, Mangold was surprised when he was released. What really shocked him was that there wasn’t any mention of negotiating a new deal.

"“I was hoping there was going to be a negotiation of some sort to get something worked out,” Mangold told Steve Serby of the New York Post. “but when you’re told, ‘Hey, we’re cutting you, and good luck,’ that really caught me off guard.”"

The decision to cut Mangold was one that many speculated this offseason. It was rather clear that the Jets were looking to get younger, and that is something that Mangold isn’t anymore.

In recent years, Mangold has seen a slip in his performance. According to Pro Football Focus, Mangold was graded as the 25th overall center in the NFL. After years of dominance, this was his second straight season that he had a grade below and 80 from PFF.

While Mangold was still graded as a good pass blocker last season, he really struggled in the run game according to PFF. With a 64.2 grade, Mangold was ranked 31st in run blocking among centers in the NFL. Injuries were certainly a factor for Mangold. However, he didn’t play well in the eight games this season for the Jets.

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Even though has been a great player for the organization, Mangold just isn’t the same player that he used to be. With the Jets going in this new, younger direction, releasing Mangold sadly made sense for the franchise.

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