The Jets just added to their offensive line depth.
New York claimed Pat Elflein off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Vikings released Elflein on Saturday morning, just a day after activating the former third-round pick out of Ohio State off injured reserve. Elflein was recovering from a thumb injury he suffered in practice following Minnesota’s season-opener.
Elflein can play all along the interior. He started his career at center for the Vikings after winning the Rimington Trophy, which goes to the nation’s best center, at Ohio State. Elflein was moved to left guard in 2019 and then moved to right guard for the 2020 season.
After an impressive rookie season in which he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team, Elflein has failed to find his footing after dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries that required surgery and multiple position changes.
A change of scenery was certainly in order and the Jets need the depth. Cameron Clark has been unable to stay healthy, while Josh Andrews has been a huge disappointment as New York’s roving interior depth piece.
The Vikings actually traded up with the Jets in the 2017 NFL draft to select Elflein, so now this is a bit of a full-circle development for his career.