Report: Austin Seferian-Jenkins Has Dropped 25 Pounds This Offseason

Rich Cimini noted over the weekend that Jets tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins has worked his way into shape since the season ended.

The Jets have witnessed a remarkable transformation over the last few months, as the veteran tight end has dropped about 25 pounds. His weight ballooned to the mid-280s last season, and now he's down to 260, according to his agent, Brian Fettner. He was listed last year at 262, but that was just a rumor.

The slimmed-down Seferian-Jenkins jumped out in the first OTA practice, demonstrating the athleticism and receiving ability that made him a second-round pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014. He was a diligent participant in the offseason conditioning program and also trained with a fitness guru in Las Vegas, where he worked out three times a day and took a hot pilates class.

This is obviously the time of year where you hear a lot of noise about how a player is in the best shape of his career. Until we see production on the field, it doesn’t mean much.

With that said, hearing this certainly beats the alternative.

There aren’t many hurdles for ASJ to get substantial playing time. His primary competition for snaps is likely Jordan Leggett. While Leggett does have some ability, most players have competition more substantial than a fifth round rookie.

This is a very important year for Seferian-Jenkins. His 2016 was less than stellar with legal woes leading the Buccaneers to let him go. He wasn’t terribly productive after coming to the Jets. You can say coming to a new team and a new system in season was tough, but now he has a full offseason to get ready with the Jets. With a big year, he could be looking at a nice second contract. If he doesn’t produce, he could be out of the league.

It is good to hear he has gotten himself into shape.