New York Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert’s job title is changing during training camp.
Former NFL All-Pro Tony Richardson revealed the news to Jets team reporter Caroline Hendershot on Friday, July 25.
“It’s a local guy, and it’s Ruckert. I had a chance at the Gridiron Gala when Tyrod [Taylor] was getting honored, and I got a chance to spend some time with [Jeremy]. I just kind of talked to him, and I knew that they [the coaching staff] have been kind of talking about maybe moving him as kind of a swing guy coming out of the backfield blocking. We exchanged information, and I told him that I am definitely going to be here to support him, but I want to see him take the next [step] because he can do it. He is tough as nails, he is a team player, and he is willing to do everything right,” Richardson explained.
“I want him in the backfield,” Richardson told Hendershot. “He can be in the backfield, he can motion out and run routes. Also, he can block because he is tough enough … he is a hybrid, so a tight end and a fullback. Ruckert is my guy this year.”
FINALLY! #NFL legend @49TRich told @cghendy that the #Jets coaching staff has been working on Jeremy Ruckert coming out of the backfield as a blocker.
‘He can be in the backfield motion out run routes also he can block because he’s tough enough … I guess he’s a hybrid so he… pic.twitter.com/nysGfYicQK
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) July 26, 2025
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It’s do or die for Ruckert. The former Ohio State product is entering the final year of his $5 million rookie contract in 2025.
Jets Fans Have Been Begging for This Since Ruckert Was Drafted
Ruckert, 24, entered the league as the No. 101 overall pick in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft.
He stands in at 6-foot-5 and tips the scales at 250 pounds. Coming out of Ohio State, Ruckert wasn’t considered a prolific receiver.
In four years with the Buckeyes, Ruckert finished with 54 receptions for 615 receiving yards, scoring 12 touchdowns.
“A one-year starter at Ohio State, Ruckert worked primarily in-line and in the slot in head coach Ryan Day’s offense (mostly “11” personnel). He played 714 offensive snaps as a senior, but the tight end position in OSU’s offense is used mostly as a blocker or decoy as he saw only 39 targets in 2021 (3.0 targets per game) after totaling only 34 targets his first three years combined,” Dane Brugler of The Athletic described in “The Beast.”
While Ruckert didn’t have crazy production in the receiving game, he did appear to be a good blocker.
Shortly after he was drafted, then Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur broke down film of how Ruckert’s blocking would translate to the next level.
“When you turn on his tape, he didn’t care about getting dirty. He was going to be old school with a no-break mentality … it was all over the tape,” LaFleur said in 2022.
#Jets OC Mike LaFleur called TE Jeremy Ruckert (@Jeremy_Ruckert1) ‘a grown man’ + explained how he can make an impact from Day 1 w/ his blocking prowess using @OhioStateFB film, ‘he’s gonna make you know that he’s coming all freaking day’: 🎥 @nyjets #Flight2022 #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/PCEB90heI3
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) June 24, 2022
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Jets fans thought they were going to get that, and they haven’t yet at the NFL level.
Jets TE Room Gets Roasted by National Media
“All of [Mason Taylor’s] backups can’t block,” NFL analyst Aaron Schatz said of the Jets’ current tight end room. “There is no blocking tight ends: Ruckert can’t block [and] Stone Smartt is not a blocker. These are not blockers.”
“Oh my God, dude. It’s not even that their tight ends couldn’t block last year; they were some of the worst blocking tight ends I have ever seen in the NFL,” ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes said on “The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny.”
GOOD LORD HAVE MERCY! @minakimes & @ASchatzNFL went OFF on the #Jets TEs from last season:
‘It’s not even that their tight ends couldn’t block last year, they were some of the worst blocking TEs I have ever seen,’ Kimes said.😳
‘All of [Mason Taylor’s] backups can’t block,’… pic.twitter.com/TJQwfyZUmZ
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) July 26, 2025
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Ruckert Is Learning From an NFL and Jets Legend
If Ruckert is trying to accelerate the learning curve at the fullback position, he couldn’t have picked a better teacher.
Tony Richardson is a two-time second-team All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowler. He is a borderline Pro Football Hall of Fame candidate.
During his 16-year career, Richardson paved the way for some of the elite backs in the league. That list includes Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Thomas Jones, and LaDainian Tomlinson.
He started his career as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 1994. While he was on the roster with Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, he never blocked for him.
Richardson has taken a liking to Ruckert, and they have worked together this offseason. That can only help Ruckert as he looks to take the next step this season.
