CBS Sport: Jets sign in former star player in a blockbuster deal after a brief retirement.

Following two knee injuries in October of last year, Connor McGovern considered retiring; nonetheless, he signed with the New York Jets on Wednesday after a tryout. On Thursday, McGovern, 31, participated in his first practice with the Jets since he suffered a left MCL injury and dislocated his kneecap on October 29, 2023.

“Well, that’s it. I called my wife after getting hurt. We are closing them down,” he declared on Thursday. McGovern kept himself in playing condition and recovered from his injuries as advised by his agency. He was added to the Jets practice squad, proving the value of the suggestion. “If and when this team makes it to the playoffs, and if I wasn’t contributing in any way,” McGovern declared, “I’d be pretty disappointed that I didn’t seize any opportunity. I had to come have another ride with this group and be a part of something special.”

McGovern started 55 games as the Jets’ starting center from 2020 until his injury last season. The Jets’ 2023 second-round selection Joe Tippmann assumed the starting role after taking over. The Jets contacted McGovern following last week’s placement of backup center Wes Schweitzer on injured reserve due to a hand injury.

After being chosen in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, McGovern started his career with the Denver Broncos. Before signing a contract with the Jets in April 2020, he played for three seasons with Denver, starting 36 of 47 games.

Reunited with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who took the Jets offensive linemen, including McGovern, on a vacation to Las Vegas in January, McGovern stated that the Jets were the only team he would play for.

On Monday night, McGovern found himself cheering for New York while watching the Jets lose 32-19 to the San Francisco 49ers. “My wife was like, ‘You’re not even on the team yet!'” McGovern broke. “I was like, ‘Yeah, but those are my boys out there.'”