Despite releasing the disappointing free agent guard, is Gang Green better off without Laken Tomlinson this season?

The New York Jets began their offseason when they released former Pro Bowl guard Laken Tomlinson for salary cap reasons. Tomlinson, after signing a three-year, $40 million deal two years ago, was not the same player New York thought they were getting.

That being said, apart from Tomlinson’s clear issues in effectiveness along the Jets offensive line, he was the only member of the group to play all 17 games in each of the last two seasons. In back-to-back years, New York has gone through 10+ different offensive linemen appearing during the season, and over 10 different combinations per year.

The turnover that comes from a group being ravaged by so many injuries can make anyone look bad. Tomlinson, being the lone healthy member of the group, may have been seen as a scapegoat to bigger problems along the Jets offensive line.

Despite the obvious concerns, the major question now is if the Jets are truly better off with Tomlinson off the roster (and now with the Seattle Seahawks) and after signing John Simpson from the Ravens.

For starters, Simpson and Tomlinson are graded relatively similarly, and the former is costing the team far less than the latter’s contract was going to be in 2024. While Tomlinson’s run and pass blocking grades were both below average, Simpson’s edge and run-blocking capabiltiies are what sets him apart.

New York’s offense was among the worst in the game over the last few years. While most point to the lack of a competent quarterback or injuries as the reason why, another reason may finally be brought to light: an edge.

When looking at the tape, it’s hard to see an identity to New York’s offense or an aggressive approach in their players. That’s something Simpson, a former fourth-round pick out of Clemson, will provide to the team in droves.

At the very least, while Tomlinson and Simpson may be of equal effectiveness at times, both were able to stay healthy last season. It’s Simpson’s aggression though that could provide a new look to the Jets offense and provide the group with a spark that the franchise has been missing for over a decade.