Giants’ Rookie Center Inspired by Eagles’ Kelce

Giants’ Rookie Center Inspired by Eagles’ Kelce

Ahead of the Christmas Day game against the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants rookie center John Michael Schmitz hopes to one day reach the same milestone as legendary Eagles center Jason Kelce. “Jason Kelce is the standard,” Schmitz said. “The way he does his job, his orders, his attitude and his technique, he deserves respect. That’s what you strive for.”

Imitating a future Hall of Famer is not easy

Kelce is on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, so it will undoubtedly take a lot and adversity for Schmitz to achieve that kind of success. But the rookie center showed plenty of promise in his first NFL season, and while the road has generally been bumpy, he’s shown he can anchor the Giants’ offense for years to come.

Can Schmitz build the Giants offensive line?

Schmitz, 24, was a second-round pick by the Giants in the last NFL draft and was named a first-team All-American in 2022. He has shown the potential to be a strong leader in the Giants locker room as well.

as a united force in the middle of the field. Despite allowing four sacks this season and holding a 51.1 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade, adjusting to being an offensive lineman in the NFL is part of learning the struggles. The Giants desperately need to find stability on their offensive line, which has been one of the worst in the NFL this season.

If Schmitz can develop into a piece that mimics a future Hall of Famer, the Giants could have an elite piece to build around. Schmitz, 24, was a second-round pick by the Giants in the last NFL draft and was named a first-team All-American in 2022.

He has shown the potential to be a strong leader in the Giants locker room and a consistent force in the middle of the field as well. Despite allowing four sacks this season and owning a 51.1 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade, adjusting to being an offensive lineman in the NFL is a learning curve. The Giants desperately need to find stability on their offensive line, which has been one of the worst in the NFL this season.

If Schmitz can develop into a piece that mimics a future Hall of Famer, the Giants could have an elite piece to build around. “The technique he uses, the leadership he has in that o-line space, it’s something you want to emulate and be like that one day. Props to him,” Schmitz said, via NorthJersey.com.

“He’s a heck of a player. I definitely looked up to him as a player when I watched him as a kid and I still do.” The matchup between the two will certainly be one to watch closely, especially for Schmitz as this will be his first matchup with Kelce. The game will be played at 16:30. EST on Christmas Day and will be televised nationally on FOX.