Likely to become a free agent during the off-season, Quebecer Laurent Duvernay-Tardif must assess various aspects of his professional life, which are not limited to the choice of the city where he could pursue his career in the National Football League. .
The veteran New York Jets offensive lineman received his medical degree from McGill in 2018, when he was a flagship of the Kansas City Chiefs. Now that the Jets’ season is over, following a 27-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Duvernay-Tardif said he also had medical considerations to address this winter.
“Honestly, all scenarios are possible,” Duvernay-Tardif told reporters after Sunday’s game.
“I think it’s also important to look at my future as a doctor. There are certain deadlines, certain issues that I have to sort out with the Faculty of Medicine, with the permits in Canada, to make sure that I don’t have to go through the eight-year process that I went through again. So I’m going to go get those answers and then start looking at my options from a football point of view. “
Duvernay-Tardif, 30, said medical graduates have four years to begin their residency. As he graduated in May 2018, this deadline is fast approaching.
“I need to get a little leeway from the Faculty of Medicine in order to continue my football career. Of course, when you want to be a doctor, you don’t want to take any shortcuts. […] So I have to be sure I’m doing things the right way. “
“That’s what I’m going to do for the next few weeks. “
Marked contrast
Duvernay-Tardif switched from the Chiefs to the Jets on November 2, in a trade where he agreed to drop his no-trade clause. He appeared in eight games with the Jets, including seven as a starter.
The Jets (4-13) finished the season last in the East Division of the American Association. By way of comparison, the Chiefs (12-5) finished at the top of the standings of the Western section of the same association.
“It’s disappointing to end the season this way, for sure. We must build a winning culture and start sealing the outcome of matches […] We have to have that sense of urgency and put everything on the line to make sure the attack stays on the pitch and wins the game. “
“I have a feeling in the NFL a lot of games are won on the decisive offensive push in the fourth quarter, and we have to not only get into that position, but then convert it and go get the result. “