Tippmann Extension
New York Jets Sign Joe Tippmann to Major Extension; Winnipeg Extends Walker Duehr
Key Points
Rich Cimini (ESPN) reported that Tippmann agreed to a four-year, $62 million extension that includes $31 million in new guarantees and keeps him under contract through 2030; Cimini also noted Tippmann “has only missed one regular-season game through his first three campaigns as a pro.”
The NYT Athletic cited a league source saying Tippmann’s path to right guard was shaped by a “last summer” preseason injury to Alijah Vera-Tucker, which “necessitated a move to right guard,” and that the deal carries “no guaranteed money in the last two years.” The report also said Tippmann is “penciled in as the Jets’ starting right guard for this season and beyond” and is the “15th-highest-paid guard in the NFL” by average annual value.
Winnipeg’s Walker Duehr extension (NHL.com) is a two-year, two-way deal with an average annual value of $875,000 that starts in 2026-27. The Jets noted Duehr had 34 points in 62 Manitoba Moose regular-season games “(17G, 17A)” with 18 penalty minutes, and in the postseason recorded 3 points “(1G, 2A)” in seven games.
NHL.com also reported that Duehr was originally signed by the Calgary Flames out of Minnesota State Mankato and has accumulated 21 points (11G, 10A) and 10 penalty minutes in 95 career NHL games across Winnipeg, Calgary and the San Jose Sharks.
The New York Jets locked up offensive lineman Joe Tippmann on a four-year extension worth up to $66.4 million, keeping the starting right guard under contract through 2030. The deal, reported Monday, follows last month's three-year extension for running back Breece Hall and continues GM Darren Mougey's push to secure the team's core before players hit the open market.
On the same day, the Winnipeg Jets (NHL) re-signed forward Walker Duehr to a two-year, two-way contract worth $875,000 per year, beginning in 2026-27. The deals share a common thread: both organizations locking in role players before their contracts expire.
Tippmann's Road from Center to Pricey Right Guard
Tippmann was drafted 43rd overall in 2023 as the Jets' "center of the future." But a torn triceps suffered by Pro Bowl guard Alijah Vera-Tucker during 2025 training camp changed everything. The injury "necessitated a move to right guard," according to The Athletic. Free-agent center Josh Myers stepped in, and Tippmann never looked back.
The transition had a rough start — Tippmann ranked 30th among guards by Pro Football Focus early in the season. But he finished 2025 as the top-graded pass-blocking right guard over the final 11 weeks, earning an 81.4 grade. ESPN's Rich Cimini noted he has "missed only one regular-season game through his first three campaigns as a pro."
What Tippmann's Deal Is Actually Worth — and Why the Numbers Differ
Two major outlets reported different figures. ESPN put the total at $62 million with $31 million in new guarantees and a $15.5 million average per year. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported $66.4 million total, $34.9 million in guarantees, and a $16.6 million average. The gap likely reflects how agents and team sources count incentives versus base money.
Either way, Tippmann lands as the 14th or 15th highest-paid guard in the NFL by average annual value. The Athletic noted the final two years carry "no guaranteed money," giving the Jets an exit if his play drops or the salary cap tightens. Analysts say his open-market value in 2027 likely would have topped $18 million per year.
Jets' Offensive Line Is Now Locked In Through at Least 2027
With Tippmann signed, the Jets' starting five — Olu Fashanu, Parham, Josh Myers, Tippmann, and Armand Membou — is secured for at least the next two seasons. Fashanu and Membou are still on cheap rookie deals. Tippmann is now the veteran anchor of a young, cost-controlled group. NYJets.com called the continuity a key goal of the front office.
Quarterback Geno Smith remains the only projected offensive starter on a one-year deal. That makes him the Jets' clearest extension priority heading into 2027. The team also holds three first-round picks in the 2027 draft, giving them both financial flexibility and roster leverage as they plan ahead.
Walker Duehr Earns Two More Years After Strong AHL Season
The Winnipeg Jets re-signed forward Walker Duehr to a two-year, two-way deal at $875,000 per year, starting in 2026-27. The 28-year-old winger put up 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists) in 62 regular-season AHL games with the Manitoba Moose, plus 3 points in 7 playoff games. He led the Moose with 5 shorthanded goals, per NHL.com.
Duehr was originally signed by the Calgary Flames out of Minnesota State Mankato. He has since played for Calgary, the San Jose Sharks, and Winnipeg, totaling 21 points in 95 career NHL games. His two-way contract lets Winnipeg shuttle him between the NHL and AHL without a heavy cap hit — a low-risk move for a team projected to work under a $104 million cap in 2026-27.
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