C.J. Uzomah, Tyler Conklin ready to do some damage with Jets

The tight finish place has been a black gap for the Jets for years. They really feel like that’s about to alter.

After the group signed C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin in free company this week, there’s optimism that they now have the most effective tight finish tandems within the league. 

“I think that me and C.J. are going to turn around the whole tight end not being productive [for the Jets] thing,” Conklin mentioned Friday in a Zoom name with reporters. “Like he said, I think it’s going to be dirty. I think we’re going to produce at a high level. I think we’re going to have fun playing together. I think we’re going to have fun off the field. I think it’s a really good situation.”

Conklin is coming off a profession 12 months with the Vikings in 2021. He had 61 catches for 593 yards and three touchdowns, all career-highs. If you mix the statistics that Conklin and Uzomah put up final 12 months, they dwarf the Jets’ manufacturing at tight finish. Conklin and Uzomah mixed for 110 receptions for 1,086 yards and eight touchdowns. The Jets had 50 catches for 534 yards and three touchdowns by their tight ends final season.

Conklin, a 2018 fifth-round decide by the Vikings, mentioned the duo can do “unlimited” harm collectively for the Jets. 

“I think that me and C.J. can be one of the best, if not the best, tight end duos,” Conklin mentioned. “I think we’re both really talented, can both do a little bit of everything. He had a really good last year. I had a good year last year. I just met C.J. yesterday but before that I’ve heard unlimited good things about him whether it was how he is a locker-room presence, how good a guy he is on and off the field. I just think on the field we can do a lot of damage.”

The 26-year-old Conkiln had solely began six video games over his first three seasons however accidents led to him getting a much bigger function in Minnesota in 2021. He began 15 video games and made essentially the most of it. Conkiln mentioned he’s used to ready for his probability after first enjoying school basketball after which strolling on as a soccer participant at Central Michigan and studying to play tight finish. 

“My career has kind of been [me being] the underdog the whole time,” Conklin mentioned. “Being a walk-on, being a basketball player, waiting my turn in college to waiting my turn in the NFL. I always knew what I could do. I just needed the opportunity and when it came I was excited for it. I think it’s really just me scratching the surface of what I can do.”

The massive season resulted in an enormous contract for Conklin. The Jets gave him a three-year, $21 million deal. Conklin mentioned he believes the Jets are on target and mentioned he’s wanting ahead to enjoying with quarterback Zach Wilson.

“Coming out of college, I really liked Zach,” Conklin mentioned. “Coming into free agency, I think one of the big things I wanted was to be with a young quarterback. His arm talent, mobility, all the things I’ve heard about him from players and coaches about how he approaches the game, it seemed like a perfect fit. I’m excited to help with whatever he needs to grow whether it’s help him in the locker room or help him on the field or be that safety blanket, whatever it is. I’m just happy to be part of his growth.”