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Ben Ijalana | Guard | #71

Team: New York Jets
Age / DOB:  (28) / 8/6/1989
Ht / Wt:  6'4' / 322
College: Villanova
Drafted: 2011 / Rd. 2 (49) / IND
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Jets re-signed OT Ben Ijalana to a one-year contract.
The 28-year-old is just a depth signing for the Jets. He can play at either tackle position. Mar 16 - 3:49 PM
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

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Player News

Date:
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

The Jets declined OT Ben Ijalana's $500,000 option bonus on Monday, allowing Ijalana to hit free agency.

Exercising Ijalana's bonus would have triggered his $4.5 million base salary for 2018, something the team clearly didn't want to do with its swing tackle. 29-year-old Ijalana has value as someone who can play both tackle spots, but the Jets are preparing to offer everything under the sun to Kirk Cousins next month, and this frees up even more money. Ijalana could re-sign later.
Related: Jets
Source: ESPN.com
Feb 19 - 7:03 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Jets OT Ben Ijalana (knee) said he'll be "a little limited" early on in camp.

Ijalana is now seven weeks removed from a knee scope. In a surprise development, Ijalana said the plan is for him to compete with Kelvin Beachum at left tackle this summer. That leaves Brent Qvale and Brandon Shell to battle it out for the starting job at right tackle. It would be a stunner if Beachum, who is due $12 million in guaranteed money, lost out to Ijalana on the blind side.
Source: Rich Cimini on Twitter
Fri, Jul 28, 2017 01:17:00 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Jets RT Ben Ijalana is recovering from a knee scope, but is expected to be ready for training camp.

The operation was "not considered serious." Those can be famous last words for knee operations, but barring a setback, six weeks should be enough time for Ijalana to get healthy. Ijalana is penciled in at right tackle, with Kelvin Beachum at left. The Jets are headed into 2017 with a wretched offensive line situation.
Source: Rich Cimini on Twitter
Tue, Jun 13, 2017 03:56:00 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Jets re-signed OT Ben Ijalana to a two-year, $11 million contract.

Ijalana underwhelmed in his 13 starts last season but the Jets need bodies after cutting both Ryan Clady and Breno Giacomini. The former second-round pick can play both tackle positions.
Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter
Thu, Mar 9, 2017 02:44:00 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Free agent OT Ben Ijalana is expected to hit the open market.

Ijalana is a below-average starter, but this is notable because the Jets cut both their left and right tackles and reportedly were going to make re-signing Ijalana a priority. Perhaps they get it done once he gauges his value during the legal tampering period, but the offensive line situation looks almost as bad as the quarterback situation in New York.
Related: Jets
Source: New York Daily News
Tue, Mar 7, 2017 08:43:00 AM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

The Jets are expected to make re-signing impending free agent OT Ben Ijalana a priority.

The former second-round pick of the Colts made 13 starts last season, with six coming at right tackle and seven on the left side after LT Ryan Clady (shoulder) went on I.R. Ijalana graded out poorly at Pro Football Focus, but the draw to him is his versatility. The Jets need to aim higher at left tackle.
Source: ESPN.com
Mon, Feb 13, 2017 09:44:00 AM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Jets coach Todd Bowles said both Ben Ijalana and Brent Qvale could see snaps at right tackle Week 1.

The two are competing to replace Breno Giacomini, who landed on reserve/PUP with a back injury. Neither was able to separate themselves during camp, and it sounds like Bowles is willing to let the situation play itself out during the game. The right side of the Jets' line could be a problem area all season.
Source: AP
Tue, Sep 6, 2016 10:18:00 AM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Jets re-signed OT Ben Ijalana to a one-year contract.

Ijalana served as retired LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson's backup the last three seasons. The 2011 second-rounder is certainly not "Plan A" as the Jets look to replace Ferguson. Ijalana turns 27 in August.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger
Sat, Apr 9, 2016 09:55:00 AM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Jets OT Ben Ijalana suffered a sprained MCL in Friday's preseason game against the Falcons.

If Ijalana avoids surgery, he'll be looking at a 2-to-3 week recovery period. The backup tackle played just two regular season snaps last year.
Source: Rich Cimini on Twitter
Sun, Aug 23, 2015 11:56:00 AM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Jets OT Ben Ijalana exited the team's second preseason game with a knee injury.

He was quickly ruled out which is never a good sign. A second-round pick of the Colts in 2011, Ijalana was expected to serve as the Jets' swing tackle. Ijalana has torn his left ACL twice.
Fri, Aug 21, 2015 09:44:00 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Jets re-signed OL Ben Ijalana.

Ijalana was limited to three games (six snaps) with the Jets last year. A 2011 second-round pick, Ijalana's career has been derailed by injuries. Ijalana will compete with Corey Hilliard for swing tackle duties.
Wed, Apr 1, 2015 05:38:00 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Free agent G/T Ben Ijalana visited the Panthers.

A second-round pick of the Colts in 2011, Ijalana has seen his career derailed by injuries. He managed six offensive snaps last season with the Jets, and would be nothing but a Hail-Mary signing for a team desperate for offensive tackle help.
Related: Panthers
Source: Adam Caplan on Twitter
Sat, Mar 28, 2015 09:21:00 AM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Jets claimed OL Ben Ijalana off waivers from the Colts.

The 49th pick in the 2011 draft, Ijalana spent much of his first two NFL seasons on injured reserve. Pro Football Focus did grade Ijalana as a top-15 tackle during the 2013 preseason, excelling as both a run and pass blocker and playing left tackle. Ijalana can also play guard. He's worth a shot.
Related: Colts
Sun, Sep 1, 2013 05:00:00 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Colts G/T Ben Ijalana is healthy for training camp.

Ijalana tore his left ACL for the second time on the very first play of last year's camp. The No. 49 pick of the 2011 draft has already racked up an astonishing five surgeries during his brief NFL career. His shot at a roster spot is poor.
Source: Indianapolis Star
Fri, Jul 19, 2013 12:16:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Josh McCown
2Sam Darnold
3Teddy Bridgewater
RB1Isaiah Crowell
2Bilal Powell
3Elijah McGuire
4Thomas Rawls
5Trenton Cannon
GLB1Isaiah Crowell
2Bilal Powell
3RB1Bilal Powell
2Elijah McGuire
WR11Robby Anderson
2Terrelle Pryor
3Andre Roberts
4Charone Peake
5Tre McBride
WR21Jermaine Kearse
2Quincy Enunwa
3Chad Hansen
4ArDarius Stewart
5Devin Smith
WR31Quincy Enunwa
TE1Clive Walford
2Eric Tomlinson
3Jordan Leggett
4Chris Herndon
5Neal Sterling
LT1Kelvin Beachum
2Antonio Garcia
LG1James Carpenter
2Jonotthan Harrison
3Ben Braden
C1Spencer Long
2Travis Swanson
RG1Brian Winters
2Brent Qvale
3Dakota Dozier
RT1Brandon Shell
2Ben Ijalana
K1Cairo Santos
2Taylor Bertolet