Laurent Duvernay-Tardif will find himself with the New York Jets in a context similar to the one he was in when he entered the NFL at the dawn of the 2015 season, according to his agent, Sasha Ghavami.
“It’s a rebuilding team, but for Laurent, it’s the same as when he joined the Chiefs [de Kansas City]. Yes, he will have to go through this process, but it is a team that seems to be well managed and therefore it promises for the future, ”said his agent first, in a telephone interview with The Canadian Press on Wednesday.
The Chiefs traded Quebec guard to the Jets on Tuesday’s Goodell Circuit trade deadline against tight end Dan Brown.
Ghavami also took the opportunity to review the process that led Duvernay-Tardif to make the decision to leave the team with which he became the first player born in Quebec in history to win the Super Bowl. , February 2, 2020.
“A few days ago, the Jets expressed their interest to the Chiefs to acquire Laurent. So Laurent told us about it – since he has a no-trade clause in his contract – and obviously the Chiefs were playing on Monday. Laurent was dressed for the occasion, he wanted to see how it would go, and he was thinking, ”he said, referring to Monday night’s game, which won 20-17 against the New York Giants.
“Laurent and I talked about it a lot. Especially yesterday morning, the morning of the transaction, for a few hours on the phone, to discuss the opportunity. The decision was up to Laurent. […] After thinking long and hard about the offer, he realized there was a great opportunity to compete for a position in New York – the Jets wanted it, and they have a plan for him – and it was a great opportunity. to pursue his career [dans la NFL] », He continued.
Ghavami at the same time assured that Duvernay-Tardif does not regret his decision to have taken a sabbatical year in 2020 in order to participate in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the Quebec health system.
“When he made the decision to retire, we knew there would be a slope to go up to gain a position. The NFL isn’t waiting for you. Laurent worked hard, he arrived at the camp [des Chiefs] in great shape, but he was unlucky with a hand injury that kept him out during the preseason, ”said Ghavami.
“But he has no regrets. If it had to be done again, he would do the same thing again, because it was a decision of conviction. He has a new challenge standing in front of him, and he wants to tackle it head on. It’s a great opportunity ahead of him, ”he continued.
As to whether Duvernay-Tardif will be in uniform as of the Jets’ next game (2-5) on Thursday against the Colts (3-5) in Indianapolis, Ghavami said he didn’t know.
“The decision will be taken today by the team to find out what the plan is [avec Duvernay-Tardif]. It’s going to be the decision of the team and head coach Robert Saleh, but one thing is certain is that he will train with the team for next Sunday’s Jets game against the Buffalo bills, ”Ghavami informed.
The six-foot-five, 321-pound future in the NFL remains unclear, however, as his deal is due to expire at the end of this campaign.
“We still haven’t discussed the plan after his contract expires. He wants to play football, and win a position on a team – which the Jets offer him. We will have to see how he feels and his contractual options, but for the moment that has not been raised in the discussions. [entre lui et moi] “Said Ghavami, adding that he would be” very surprised “that at age 30, his client was interested in a career in the Canadian Football League.
The ball is therefore in the court of Duvernay-Tardif, who will have to prove himself in the coming weeks if he wishes to continue his career in the NFL beyond 2021.