New Jets guard Kelechi Osemele will be playing with a little extra motivation in 2019.
The Jets acquired Osemele and a sixth-round pick from the Raiders in exchange for a fifth-round pick. While Osemele is 29-years-old and has been in the league for seven seasons, being traded has placed a chip on his shoulder.
“I’m a chip on the shoulder type of guy, so obviously that’s motivation,” Osemele said. “I’m a professional and I’ve been in this business for a while, so I understand it from that point. But I like to take things like that and use it as motivation because it’s fuel. Why wouldn’t you? Obviously, I’m motivated by that.”
Oakland and New York will play each other in Week 12 this upcoming season. Obviously, Osemele and the Jets have the first 11 games to worry about before they can even think about the Raiders, but Osemele knows that game has extra meaning to it.
“I’m looking forward to it just as I’m looking forward to any game on the schedule,” he said. “One game at a time. I’m not looking past anybody, but yeah, it’s motivation playing against the old guys and in front of the coaches again. It’s always going to get you going.”
