The new normal
Two weeks ago, Will Tye was on the roster of a supposed Super Bowl contender, entering his third year with the Giants. Now, he is part of a supposed tank job, having joined the Jets after being released by the only NFL team he had known.
“When you have a team that hasn’t won a lot, naturally it’s gonna be different,” Tye said. “I knew it was gonna be different. I didn’t know how different.”
No longer is his quarterback a two-time Super Bowl winner. No longer does Odell Beckham Jr. line up alongside him.
In Tye’s new locker room, the undrafted tight end is surrounded by similarly overlooked players, hoping to prove they belong in the league.
“That’s something you can feel,” Tye said. “You can tell people have that drive, everybody wants to show up, and that’s a good thing. That’s what you want, people to say, ‘No,’ and to doubt you. Everybody in here has been doubted.”
When Tye was cut Sept. 2, he didn’t know where he might play next. He certainly didn’t know he could be starting by Week 2.
With Austin Seferian-Jenkins suspended and Jordan Leggett and Eric Tomlinson out with injuries, Tye likely will be the Jets’ starting tight end Sunday against the Raiders, who have struggled to defend the position.
Last week, Oakland allowed Titans tight end Delanie Walker to gain 76 yards on seven catches, and last season, the Raiders allowed the fifth-most yards in the NFL to tight ends.
“I’m really excited. It’s something that you always want it,” Tye said. “I’m ready for it. I had a good week, prepared for it well, and now it’s time to go out there and perform.”
Now in his second week with a new system and new teammates, Tye is in a better position to take advantage of the opportunity.
In last week’s loss to the Bills, Tye caught three passes on three targets for 34 yards, but on multiple plays, the 25-year-old was uncertain of his role.
“There were times I didn’t know where I was going,” Tye said. “I had [quarterback] Josh [McCown] helping me. … [It’s] night