After getting thrown into the starting role at center in his rookie season, Joe Tippmann became more confident in his command of the offense in his second NFL season.
"I think it was kind of the work that we put in in the offseason and the work that I put in when we were not actually together," Tippmann said. "That day-in and day-out working and perfecting my craft is something that each and every time that I'm doing it, it's building the confidence and locking it in subconsciously. So, when those problem areas or something comes up, you're able to just attack it. I'm just going to keep going forward, keep attacking and then try to come out with the best result that we can."
According to Pro Football Focus, as a rookie in 2023, Tippmann ranked 21st in offensive grade (61.0) and tied for 14th in sacks allowed (3) among centers who took 50% of the snaps. This past season, Tippmann improved those rankings to No. 6 overall offensive grade (73.4) and No. 2 overall in sacks allowed (5) among all centers who took at least 80% of the regular-season snaps. He was also the only player on the Jets' offense who took 100% of the snaps (1,066). Even with a big jump in his performance, Tippmann was most proud of the offensive line's growth.
"I'd say the O-line as a room just continually growing together in our relationships, on the field, off the field and being able to build these lasting relationships," Tippmann said. "It's something that's small but affects the play on the field and I think that's something that we did a great job of doing. Another thing is just from where we started and where we ended up. We didn't start the season off too hot as an offensive line, but we were able to just keep growing. It's still not the finished product that we wanted, but just to be able to have that growth is something that I can kind of put a check mark on."
Every season PFF rank's each team's offensive line's "pass blocking efficiency" with a statistic that measures pressure allowed per snap. The Jets ranked No. 7 overall in the category (87.2). While Tippmann helped lead the line's success, he credits his veteran teammates on the line for their support.
"I was the youngest guy on the line, so it was being able to just have such great vets around me," Tippmann said. "Starting from Tyron [Smith], he was a guy that took me under his wing. Even though he's playing out there, playing tackle, he's able to help me from a whole perspective of the game. Having John [Simpson] there, he's just an awesome, high-energy, guy that comes in every day and he's giving you the same, no matter what. The same high level of energy and that's something that he definitely helped me. Then AVT [Alijah Vera-Tucker], he's just the most relaxed guy. He's able to just play at such a high level while maintaining this level of California chill. Then Big Mo [Morgan Moses], he's someone that's affected almost everybody on the team. This season it's kind of been dark and he's been a light in the darkness for me personally. I will always look up to Big Mo."
In his third NFL season, Tippmann wants to make another jump, which he said starts in the weight room.
"I want to get back in the weight room, be able to make those jumps with my numbers and be able to increase them from what I got last year," he said. "I want to be able to keep making those strides physically while maintaining the athleticism, the movement, stay in shape breath-wise and stamina-wise. So, there are definitely big areas that I need to improve. Another one would be pass- protection. It's something that after this season has gotten me excited. I can keep making these strides, keep making these jumps to be able to be better for the whole line, the running backs, the quarterbacks and do a better job helping everybody get on the same page."
