Offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum has agreed to a contract with the New York Jets. Terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed. Beachum spent four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers to begin his career. In 2015 Beachum tore his left ACL and was placed on injured reserve. Prior to the 2016 season Beachum signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a one-year deal that included a $40 million team option to activate additional years. Jacksonville declined his option after the season, making him a free agent.
The #Jets have signed OT Kelvin Beachum… he announced on this thing https://t.co/K56Z6whl62
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2017
Kelvin Beachum Signs With the New York Jets
Beachum will be just 28 when the 2017 season begins and it is rare for a young capable tackle with as much starting experience as Beachum to hit the market. Beachum has primarily played left tackle during his NFL career and at just 6’3″ he is undersized for the prototypical starter at the position.
The 2016 season was disappointing for Beachum, even though he competed for and won the starting left tackle position with the Jaguars out of training camp. Beachum then started 15 games and missed just one during the season, due to a concussion. However, he was credited with surrendering 49 quarterback pressures on the season, and his mediocre performance made him expendable by the team.
Beachum was selected in the seventh round of the 2012 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite his low draft standing he was able to work his way into the starting lineup in his first season with the team. In the 2013 and 2014 seasons Beachum found his way into the starting lineup regularly, and entered the 2015 season as the Steelers starting left tackle on the final year of his rookie contract. Beachum suffered his ACL injury in October of 2016 and would not play for the Steelers again, after playing in 44 games over his four seasons with the team, including 39 starts. Beachum was the blindside protector for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for much of that time.
Beachum had his best season in 2014, his first season as a full-time player, as he started all 16 games during 2014 season and finished third in the entire league in Pro Football Focus’ pass blocking efficiency rating.
Beachum started the 2016 season less than a year removed from his ACL injury. At just 28 years old it is possible he will be able to bounce back to his previous form in 2017 now that he is more than 16 months away from his initial injury.
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