The Jets have signed center Spencer Long.

Long, a third-round pick (78th overall) of the Redskins in the 2014 NFL Draft, started his pro career at guard. After participating in just 16 offensive snaps as a rookie, he started the final 13 games of the 2015 season at left guard.

Transitioning to center during the 2016 campaign, Long started 12 games. He impressed in the middle as Washington allowed the fourth-fewest sacks in the NFL. Last summer marked the first time the 27-year-old went to training camp knowing that he would remain strictly at center.  He was limited to seven games as he dealt with injuries to both legs and surgery on his quad tendon landed him on injured reserve.

"It took a lot of adjustment physically and mentally," Long said of the move to center. "It's definitely different having the ball in your hands. In the meeting rooms is where the big changes came because I grew so much mentally as a player when I had to learn the center position. Ever since then, I've been able to build on a solid foundation. I'm excited. I think my best ball is yet to come at that position."

The 6'5", 318-pound Long has appeared in 40 games over his first four pro seasons, starting 31. He walked-on at Nebraska and didn't appear in a game his first two years. But the Elkhorn, NE native eventually worked his way into the lineup at right guard and started 33 consecutive games, earning a scholarship in the process. The biological sciences major was a team captain in 2013 and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

Long fills a void along the offensive line as both of the club's centers from 2017 — Wesley Johnson and Jonotthan Harrison — are unrestricted free agents.