The New York Jets have signed former Wisconsin Badger star Joe Tippmann to a big contract of four years of $66.4 million with over half of it guaranteed. This massive payday is another reminder and reinforcement that Wisconsin continues to be OL-U (offensive linemen university). A moniker that Badger fans have clung to even in the lean times the last few years. The hope is that Eric Mateos will revive that, and Wisconsin fans will see the pipeline get reinstituted.
For now, players like Tippmann are holding it down for Wisconsin in the NFL. He's not the first this offseason to have signed a big NFL payday. There's also former Badger OL Tyler Biadasz, who signed a $61 million deal with the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans also signed another former Wisconsin OL in David Edwards. If we look around at other positions, Nick Herbig, Alec Ingold, Leo Chenal, TJ Watt, and more.
Full terms: The #Jets and G Joe Tippmann have agreed to a 4-year, $66.4M extension with $34.9M guaranteed in a deal negotiated by Joe Panos and AJ Stevens of @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/ghp9uB6Llq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 15, 2026
Jets sign Joe Tippmann to a massive payday propelling the Wisconsin as OL-U conversation
Related: Former Badger Nick Herbig gets rewarded in a massive way by the Steelers
Tippmann has been the starting center for the New York Jets and was the main guy getting the ball to Aaron Rodgers during his time as a Jet. Yet, this offseason, the Jets went and signed Josh Meyers to a $3.5 million deal. The move was perplexing because Tippmann was considered one of the better centers in the league. Now it appears they may be featuring Tippmann at right guard and value his versatility to move around the offensive line.
At Wisconsin from 2019 to 2022, he only played center and was the starting center for his final two seasons. He was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in both 2021 and 2022. Before being drafted by the New York Jets in 2023 in the second round with the 43rd pick of the NFL Draft.
As a Jet, he's had a solid showing considering the lackluster performance the team has had. He had a 73.4 overall grade by PFF last season as a center and may even grade higher as a guard. Helping secure the line and bring along some consistency to the right guard position.
With a new quarterback, Geno Smith, under center for the New York Jets, there has to be some solid offensive line play. Smith has had a very rocky career in the NFL and has played at his best when he's had time to perform in the pocket. Tippmann will play a big role in that, as an experienced (in his 4th season) player who can help gel a new offensive line together.
The Jets don't have the most exciting offensive line with projected starters Olu Fashanu, Dylan Parham, Josh Myers, Joe Tippmann, and Armand Membou. However, it's a clear improvement to what they've rolled out in years past. The signing of former Wisconsin Badger Joe Tippmann and moving him to right guard is a big part of that plan.
Either way, for Wisconsin fans, it's good to see that Wisconsin is still putting linemen into the NFL and that they are getting paid. Now, let's get that pipeline going again.
Add us as a preferred source on Google