For the first time in his NFL career, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is no longer associated with a particular club. The 1.95 m (6′ 5”) and 145 kg (321 lb) offensive lineman became a free agent on Wednesday.
Since the native of Mont-Saint-Hilaire broke through with the Chiefs in 2014, he had never found himself without an NFL contract in his pocket. “It’s more about exploring options, sort of seeing what’s next,” said his agent, Sasha Ghavami. “We are not closing the door to anything. »
Including a return to the Jets, with whom Laurent Duvernay-Tardif finished last season. Right guard, the 31-year-old started seven of eight games with New York (4-13), which finished last in the AFC East.
Earlier this week, the Jets reportedly reached a three-year, $40 million deal with former Niners guard Laken Tomlinson.
After the 2020 season, where he did not play, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif returned to Kansas City last season in hopes of returning to his position; however, he broke his hand in training and missed a month. Recovered, he became an inactive player, with young Trey Smith replacing him as the Chiefs’ starting right guard.
Last November, the Quebec colossus waived his no-trade clause, allowing the Chiefs to trade him to the Jets.
The McGill University graduate can pursue his career without interfering with his medical studies, says his agent. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif started 57 of 60 games with Kansas City, got his first NFL start in 2015 and helped the Chiefs win the Super Bowl on February 2, 2020, against San Francisco, continues Sasha Ghavami.
The Mont-Saint-Hilaire native was the first NFL player to retire from the 2020 season to fight the pandemic, which he did while working at a Quebec long-term care center.