FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets bolstered their offensive line depth at the trade deadline, acquiring right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif from the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs received backup tight end and special-teamer Daniel Brown in the deal. Both players will be free agents after the season.
Duvernay-Tardif, 30, started for the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV after the 2019 season, but hasn’t played a game since that Super Bowl. He was active for the first time this season Monday night against the New York Giants, but saw no action.
Once he gets settled, Duvernay-Tardif could push starting right guard Greg Van Roten, who has struggled at times.
A medical school graduate, Duvernay-Tardif became the first NFL player to opt out last season because of COVID-19 reasons. He opted to continue working at a long-term care facility near his home in Montreal, Quebec.
He returned to the Chiefs this summer for training camp, but injured a hand and missed the preseason. By the time he was healthy, he had been replaced in the lineup by rookie Trey Smith. He was a healthy scratch for the first seven games.
“NYC here we come!” Tardif tweeted, along with a statement thanking the Chiefs organization and fans.
NYC here we come! #Jets pic.twitter.com/8ihqjrBit7
— Laurent D. Tardif (@LaurentDTardif) November 2, 2021
The Jets have been hurt by injuries on the offensive line. In training camp, they lost backup guard Alex Lewis, who decided to retire.
Brown was a core special-teamer for the Jets, but he didn’t play much on offense — only 13 snaps and no receptions.