Brenden Jaimes is preparing for his first NFL start this Saturday against the Bills.
Jaimes will be the starting center going forward after Will Clapp was placed on injured reserve this week.
“I would say I’m more anxious just to get out there, play a full game and show what I can do,” Jaimes said, per the team’s official website. “More so excitement than anything. It’s been a dream of mine to do this and now that it’s finally here, I’m super excited for the opportunity.
After Clapp went down last Thursday against the Raiders, Jaimes came in and played 23 snaps. In 11 pass-blocking snaps, he did not allow a single quarterback pressure.
Jaimes, a 2021 fifth-round pick, has appeared in 34 games. He is a former tackle at Nebraska with 40 consecutive starts, and he also has experience at guard.
“It really makes me appreciate every position now that I’ve played pretty much every position on the O-Line,” Jaimes said. “Being able to play center, I kind know what everybody is going through. I know when to help who, when to help someone if they have this look or if this look is happening then I need to give help to this guy because it’s difficult.
“Just gives me a greater appreciation for everybody who’s on the field with me,” Jaimes added. “It’s funny because I started playing center when I was a little kid and now it’s full circle because I’m at the highest-level playing center. Definitely blessed to be in this position and super excited of playing Saturday.”
As Jaimes is set to enter the fourth season of his pro career in 2024, these reps in the final three games will serve him well as he could show that he’s a viable swing option with the ability to start in a pinch.
“It’s something that he’s waited on for a while here,” Kellen Moore said. He’s earned this opportunity just from continuing to be patient, continuing to develop as a center. He hopped in there this past game. He’ll finish this season off the right way.”