One of the more surprising NFL free agents still available on the market is former Cleveland Browns center J.C. Tretter. He was released from the team early in the offseason and hasn’t landed with a new team thus far. Here are potential landing spots for JC Tretter.
Background
In 2017, Tretter left the Green Bay Packers to sign a three-year $16.7 million deal in Cleveland. He was one of the foundational pieces to the Browns’ offensive line that is considered one of the best in the league. Tretter signed a three-year $32.5 million extension with the team back in 2019.
Over the last few seasons, Tretter has been one of the best and most consistent centers in the league. However, he hasn’t been signed because of a knee injury that prevented him from practicing during his final season with the Browns. It is hard to imagine a team offering Tretter a long-term deal with major questions about his future. However, it is worth noting that Tretter has not missed a single game over the past five seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
There are a few teams that are shaky at the center position and could benefit from adding Tretter to the middle of their offensive line. Here are the teams that should take a chance on signing former Cleveland Browns center J.C. Tretter.
Miami Dolphins
After signing Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead and former second-round pick guard, Connor Williams, to multi-year deals, the Dolphins still have another hole at the center of their offensive line. Fourth-year offensive lineman Michael Dieter is currently projected to start at center for the Dolphins. Dieter started his career playing guard for the Dolphins. This past season he played well at center in the eight games he started at the center position. But Miami shouldn’t feel entirely comfortable with Dieter as their long-term starter at the position due to lack of experience and because he is in a contract year.
Miami should bring in Tretter to compete with Dieter for the starting center position. When healthy Tretter is without a doubt an upgrade over Dieter. The Dolphins just need to see if Tretter is healthy. Miami has made a lot of additions to their offense to fit new head coach Mike McDaniel’s offense. If they added Tretter the Dolphins would have upgraded three of their five starting offensive line starters from a season ago. That along with the addition of Tyreek Hill would be awesome for the development of Tua Tagovailoa and this offense as a whole.
Projected Offensive Line: LT: Terron Armstead, LG: Connor Williams, C: J.C. Tretter, RG: Robert Hunt, RT: Liam Eichenberg/Austin Jackson
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars made major investments into their offensive line signing left tackle Cam Robinson and former All-Pro guard from the Washington Commanders Brandon Scherff to deals that made them among the highest-paid at their positions. Those additions allowed Jacksonville to spend the first overall pick in the draft on pass rusher Travon Walker. But the shocking retirement of Brandon Linder opened up a void at center for this Jaguars team.
Jacksonville spent their third-round pick in the draft of former Kentucky center Luke Fortner. They expect Fortner to start at center for them early in his rookie season. However, there are enough people around the league that aren’t sold on Fortner as their starting center next season.
If the Jaguars signed J.C. Tretter he would not only be an insurance policy for the Jaguars in case Fortner struggles early on, but he could also serve as a mentor. This Jaguars team lacks veteran leadership. Signing the NFLPA president could be great for this locker room after what occurred to this organization last season under Urban Meyer. Tretter would be an outstanding veteran addition to a young offense that needs a solid center to ensure this offensive line doesn’t struggle to protect Trevor Lawerence again next season.
Projected Offensive Line: LT: Cam Robinson, LG: Ben Bartch, C: J.C. Tretter, RG: Brandon Scherff, RT: Jawaan Taylor/ Walker Little
Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas is poised to be a contender next season not only in the AFC West but in the AFC as a whole. Looking at this roster the only piece of this team that could hold them back is their offensive line. The only locked-in starter on this offensive line is Kolton Miller at left tackle. The rest of the offensive line starting positions will likely be up for grabs during training camp. Last season the Raiders started former undrafted free agent Andre James at center after trading Rodney Hudson to the Arizona Cardinals.
Even though James was solid last season, the Raiders’ new regime may look to add a more solid option at center like Tretter. This team wants to compete next season and can’t have as many questions along their offensive line as they do to be a legitimate contender. Tretter may not answer all of Las Vegas’ questions on the offensive line but should help eliminate the need for an upgrade at center. Derek Carr would appreciate the addition of one of the best centers in the league to anchor his offensive line.
Projected Offensive Line: LT: Kolton Miller, LG: John Simpson/Jermaine Eluemunor/Dylan Parham, C: J.C. Tretter, RG: Denzelle Good/Alex Leatherwood/Dylan Parham, RT: Alex Leatherwood/Brandon Parker
Atlanta Falcons
Throughout the entire offseason, the Atlanta Falcons have remodeled their offense. This offseason started with the Falcons losing Calvin Ridley for the 2022-23 season due to suspension and then trading Matt Ryan to the Colts after failing to acquire Deshaun Watson. Since then the Falcons resigned Cordarrelle Patterson, signed Marcus Mariota, and signed Auden Tate.
Atlanta then drafted wide receiver Drake London with the 8th overall pick. The Falcons also drafted quarterback Desmond Ridder in the third round, running back Tyler Allgeier in the fifth round, and offensive lineman Justin Shaffer in the sixth round. Following the NFL Draft, Atlanta released running back Mike Davis and traded for former Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards.
There are a lot of questions long-term and short-term about this offensive line. One of the positions of instability on this offense is at center. Former third-round pick Matt Hennessy has not developed into a solid starting center that many thought he would be when he came out of Temple. Last season the Falcons rotated between Hennessy and 2021 fourth-round pick Drew Dalman at the position. Neither have looked like the long-term center for this team.
It is clear that this team will not be very competitive next season. That doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t add a veteran like J.C. Tretter to this team to help address a massive need for them. Tretter could potentially be this team’s short and long-term answer at the position. It could be wise for the Falcons to add a veteran like Tretter to a cheap deal when he can end up being the best player on their offense by the end of the year if he is healthy.
Projected Offensive Line: LT: Jake Matthews, LG: Jaylen Mayfield/Justin Shaffer, C: J.C. Tretter, RG: Chris Lindstrom, RT: Kaleb McGary
San Francisco 49ers
Even though the San Francisco 49ers have had one of the most consistent offenses in the league over the past few seasons, there are a couple of major questions about their offense going into next season. A few questions include, How will Trey Lance look as the team’s starter, What will the 49ers do with Jimmy Garoppolo, and What role will Deebo Samuel have on this team going forward. Another question that is not receiving enough attention is what Alex Mack plans on doing next season. The 36-year-old Pro Bowl center is still contemplating retirement this offseason. If he was to retire the 49ers would have a massive hole in the middle of the offensive line that would have to be filled by a veteran free agent.
J.C. Tretter may be intrigued with the idea of playing for Kyle Shanahan’s offense. In recent years he has helped Trent Williams build a case to be the best-left tackle in football and got another Pro Bowl season out of Alex Mack despite appearing to be declining. Shanahan may be able to help Tretter finally reach his first Pro Bowl. Tretter fits the style of offense that Shanahan has run in San Francisco over the past few seasons. If Mack retires then the 49ers shouldn’t hesitate to add Tretter because if he is healthy then the 49ers shouldn’t see a dip in production at the position.
Projected Offensive Line: LT: Trent Williams, LG: Aaron Banks, C:J.C. Tretter (if Alex Mack retires), RG: Daniel Brunskill, Mike McGlinchey
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