Lindenhurst's Jeremy Ruckert gets a contract extension from Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Jeremy Ruckert is staying home.

The Lindenhurst product signed a two-year contract extension with the Jets on Wednesday. The new deal is worth $10 million and could reach $11 million.

“It’s the ultimate blessing, like I’ve been saying,” said Ruckert, who grew up a Jets fan. “I know people might think it gets old, but I live a dream every day. I get to put on this uniform, run out of the locker room of a team that I used to sit in the stands and watch. I never take it lightly.

“I play every single snap with that sense of pride and passion because I’m just living the dream.”

General manager Darren Mougey continues to get ahead on some offseason work. Ruckert is the second player the Jets have signed to an extension in the last week. They also gave center Josh Myers a two-year deal before he could hit free agency.

Aaron Glenn has been a big supporter of Ruckert and his toughness and selflessness. Glenn identified Ruckert as someone who could help in the team’s rebuild and wanted to keep him in a Jets uniform.

“I’m one of the coaches that’s harder on Ruck than anybody,” Glenn said. “The reason why is there’s so much meat on the bone with him improving. And he’s improved so much from the start of training camp up to now.

“He’s tough. He’s physical, he’s versatile . . . He’s one of those guys that, run and pass game, he’s been pretty valuable for us. Obviously, there are some tight ends that focus on the passing game. Some tight ends focus on being a blocker. He’s one of those guys that can do both. So that’s a true value for us in a system that we’re trying to build here.”

Ruckert said that his agent and the Jets began talking about a month ago. He let them handle that, but he hoped something would get done before he became a free agent.

“To be able to get the support and commitment from them to keep me here for another couple years and build this thing is something that I really appreciate, and don’t take lightly at all,” Ruckert said.

A third-round pick in 2022, Ruckert has been used mostly as a blocker. His role and offensive production have increased this season, though. Ruckert has set career highs in catches (20), receiving yards (163) and touchdowns (one). He’s also been a contributor on special teams.

Ruckert was a star player at Lindenhurst High School, where he was a co-winner of the Carl A. Hansen Award, given to Suffolk’s top football player, and was named Gatorade Player of the Year following his senior season.

A four-year player at Ohio State, Ruckert was selected No. 101 overall in 2022. He has 55 catches for 427 yards and a touchdown in 55 games with the Jets.

“I’m super grateful for the organization and them believing in me,” Ruckert said. “Now [I’m] getting to continue to work towards building this thing the right way.”

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.