Ex-Jets C Mangold not ruling out return

Veteran center Nick Mangold missed the entire 2017 but is considering a return to the field -- if he's healthy. Mangold, a longtime standout of the New York Jets, told the New York Post that he's not "closing the door" on playing again. Cut by the Jets a year ago after a foot injury ended his 2016 season, Mangold said his surgically repaired ankle continued to bother him in 2017, preventing him from seriously entertaining any offers to play. "It still wasn't right," said Mangold. "It was one of those things where I probably could have gone out there and played, but I wouldn't be playing to my standards. I wouldn't want to be out there just stealing checks. That's why I didn't go for it. I wouldn't have played at my level." Mangold, 34, was released by the Jets after 11 seasons with the club in a cost-savings move. A first-round draft pick in 2006, Mangold was a longtime anchor of New York's offensive line, starting 164 of 176 games and earning Pro Bowl honors seven times. He also was a two-time All-Pro selection. Mangold said although he is feeling better, "I'm not actively searching anything out" when to it comes to playing again. While conceding he was angry that the Jets did not even offer to restructure his salary before cutting him loose, Mangold said some of the initial bitter feelings toward his former team have subsided. "It's difficult because my son would be a 7-year-old diehard Jets fan. He's running around yelling 'Jets, Jets, Jets,' " Mangold said. "It took some time. I'm kind of indifferent now. Hopefully as time goes on, I get back to being fully invested in what's going on."