Ty Montgomery is an essential part of the New York Jets

The New York Jets made several free agent signings over the offseason, and their biggest acquisition could be the multitalented Ty Montgomery.

A team filled with names like Le’Veon Bell, Jamal Adams, and Sam Darnold will immediately raise the profile of a franchise in the National Football League. The New York Jets front office may have assured themselves a season with exceptional depth with the signing of former Green Bay Packers running back/wide receiver Ty Montgomery.

Montgomery brings a dual-threat offensively as a player that can effectively line up as a wide receiver or in the backfield as a running back. The former college football standout at Stanford University brings much-needed versatility at both positions and should see starters minutes on the field. The Packers and Baltimore Ravens utilized Montgomery as a starter during his tenure with both clubs and the Jets have done the same so far this preseason.

Last night’s game against the visiting New Orleans Saints showed the good and bad of Montgomery’s skill set. In the Jets 28-13 loss, Montgomery accounted for 45 total yards and a touchdown reception from Darnold. The night, however, started with a lost fumble on his first attempt leading to a Saints field goal.

Jets’ head coach Adam Gase is known for his creative offensive playbook was thrilled to bring in Montgomery. Gase spoke about Montgomery during training camp and his expanded role for this team even with a healthy Le’Veon Bell.

"“The fact that we had a shot at him coming here and when we got him signed, the wheels started turning on offense as far as, ‘All right, what are we going to do? How are we going to use these guys? What’s it going to look like?’” Gase said early on in camp. “So, we’re experimenting with all that stuff and his versatility and his flexibility and his knowledge and he’s extremely smart. So, we put a lot on his plate and he’s able to play a lot of different roles for us.”"

Bell hasn’t taken an official snap in the NFL in well over a year and isn’t expected to be available until week one of the regular season. Montgomery will probably be the first running back and wide receiver off the Jets sidelines in any situation. The early positive chemistry with Darnold will be essential in the group’s development throughout the season.

The Jets needed this extra weapon off the bench considering the injury history of some of their key starters. The skill positions need to remain active for Darnold to have a chance to replicate his preseason success during the Fall.