The New York Jets have swapped out an offensive lineman.
Gang Green announced on social media that they have signed former New England Patriots offensive lineman Liam Fornadel. In a corresponding roster move, the Jets waived rookie center Gus Hartwig.
We’ve signed OL Liam Fornadel and waived C Gus Hartwig.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 29, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
“When it comes on the injury front, we had one injury which is being evaluated. It looks like a knee to big Gus. I’ll know something later this afternoon to be able to give you guys the information on that,” Jets head coach Aaron Glenn told the media on Monday, July 28.
Hartwig Gets Dumped, Rookie Tenure Over With the Jets
The former Purdue product joined the Jets as an undrafted free agent in May. Hartwig was listed at 6-foot-5 and tipped the scales at 309 pounds.
“He started 45 games at center for the Boilermakers from 2021-24 after beginning his career at guard. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection each of his five seasons at Purdue and was a team captain in the 2024 season,” Jets contributors John Pullano and Ethan Greenberg wrote in a press release.
“Late in Jets practice, rookie C Gus Hartwig went down with what looked like a leg injury. Stayed down for several minutes, but was able to gingerly walk under his own power to the injury tent, where he’s being checked out,” Jets beat reporter Dennis Waszak Jr posted on X previously Twitter.
Late in #Jets practice, rookie C Gus Hartwig went down with what looked like a leg injury.
Stayed down for several minutes, but was able to gingerly walk under his own power to the injury tent, where he’s being checked out.
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) July 28, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
ESPN’s Rich Cimini said Hartwig had to be “helped off the field.”
More Info on the Newest Jets OL
Fornadel, 26, first entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
The first two and a half years of his career were spent in the Canadian Football League with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and in the XFL with the DC Defenders.
Fornadel also had a second stint with the Defenders when they moved to the UFL in 2025.
“The James Madison product had a stint with the Patriots in 2024 and spent most of last season on their practice squad before he was released in December. Fornadel, who is from Wyckoff, NJ and played at Don Bosco Prep in high school, started 40 games in college at JMU (31 at RT, 8 at LT),” Pullano and Greenberg revealed in a press release.
Strength of This Jets Team Is Their Offensive Line
Jets beat reporter Nick Faria told me on “Boy Green Daily” that this is the strongest and deepest offensive line the team has had in years.
The starting five unit has a good mix of youth and experience. Plus, they have two veterans who provide insurance off the bench.
Chukwuma Okorafor (60 career starts) and Josh Myers (56 career starts) have you covered at offensive tackle and on the interior.
Technically, both of those veterans are battling for starting gigs. Okorafor is competing against first-round rookie Armand Membou. Myers is competing against Joe Tippmann, the reigning starter.
However, Membou and Tippmann are expected to win those jobs.
