The New York Jets haven't reached the NFL Playoffs since 2010 but, when they were a perennial power that included back-to-back trips to the AFC Championship Game, Nick Mangold was there. However, after an 11-year career with the franchise, Mangold announced on Twitter on Saturday that he will be released by the only club he has ever known as a professional football player.
Mangold entered the NFL in 2006 after a storied career at Ohio State, and he was selected with the No. 29 overall pick by the Jets. Upon arrival, he was one of the best centers in the NFL for the great majority of his tenure and that included seven trips to the Pro Bowl and two All-Pro selections.
The franchise's motivation for the move is fairly clear, even if Mangold beat the Jets to the announcement. New York is in something of a retooling phase and, by releasing Mangold, the Jets create salary cap relief while allowing the 33-year-old to seek gainful employment elsewhere in pursuit of a coveted Super Bowl ring. It will be (very) odd to see Nick Mangold in an NFL uniform other than that of the green and white worn by the New York Jets but that is the harsh reality of the league and this serves as another reminder.
