The Jets were never at full strength at the tight end position in 2019, but Ryan Griffin believes big things await him and Chris Herndon next season.
The Jets didn’t get to see much of the duo last season. They only played in one game together in 2019, which came in Week 10 of the regular season. As both players battle back from injuries, Griffin is eager to see what New York’s offense could do with both of them in the lineup.
“I’m excited for Chris to get back,” Griffin told the team’s website. “He’s very versatile and can do a lot of things very well in this league, and he’s a young kid. I’m looking forward to him getting a full season under his belt and under the system as well. When we’re both out there I think it opens up the playbook that much more for Coach Gase. I’m really looking forward to seeing what this offense can do with everybody healthy and no nagging injuries, no sicknesses, no illnesses with everybody on the same page.”
Griffin was signed late last offseason after Herndon received a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance of abuse policy. Griffin played in 13 games, making 34 catches for 320 yards and five touchdowns.
The Jets rewarded Griffin’s strong season with a three-year extension worth $10.8 million with $4 million guaranteed, but his season ended prematurely after he went down with an ankle injury and was placed on injured reserve.
Herndon, meanwhile, pulled a hamstring that caused him to miss an additional four games following his suspension. Then, in his first game back against the Giants, Herndon broke his rib and was ruled out for the rest of the season.
Sam Darnold had great chemistry with Herndon in his rookie season and with Griffin this past season. Darnold more than anybody would like to see what this offense can do when both are healthy. If the two can produce the way they have in their limited time with the Jets, then this could be a lethal duo at tight end.