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The Jets were planning to be big players in the free-agent guard market, and had New England's Joe Thuney high on their list.
On Monday, the Patriots surprised everyone by using the franchise tag on Thuney instead.
That shocking move essentially took one of the top two free agent guards off the market just hours before the NFL's free agent negotiating period began. It also had a huge ripple effect on the Jets, who were serious about signing Thuney. They now plan to focus their attention on free agent guard Graham Glasgow, according to a source.
And unfortunately for the Jets, getting the 27-year-old Glasgow won't be easy, because without Thuney and Brandon Scherff -- who was franchised by the Redskins -- the guard market has thinned, which will drive Glasgow's price up. He is expected to have several teams pursuing him, including the Dolphins and Broncos. The Lions might try to bring him back, too.
The 6-6, 310-pound Glasgow, who could also play center, could end up getting a deal worth $15 million per year.
Meanwhile, it's not completely clear whether the Patriots plan to keep Thuney, despite using the franchise tag on him. There has been some talk that they planned to trade him, and tagging him was simply a way to keep him from going to the Jets and Dolphins -- two of their AFC East rivals who were going to go after him hard.
The tag for Thuney will cost the Patriots $14.9 million -- money they could use if they intend to try to keep free-agent quarterback Tom Brady.
As for the Jets, if they are unable to land Glasgow, some other names to watch are Greg Van Roten (Panthers) and Austin Peat (Saints). The Jets may also bring back veteran Brian Winters after a pay cut from the $7 million salary he's currently due in 2020.