Before he acquired the decision that the New Orleans Saints have been signing him to the energetic roster, Connor McGovern’s luggage have been already packed.
McGovern thought he was headed to London as a member of the New York Jets’ observe squad for Sunday’s worldwide recreation in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings. The offensive lineman was two hours away from boarding the workforce bus to get to the airport. And as his cellphone rang, McGovern was within the technique of placing on his journey go well with.
Turns out, he’d have to carry much more with him.
“I had to run back and repack and change my plane ticket,” McGovern mentioned. “It was a hectic couple of hours there for sure. I was trying to make the last flight of Newark to New Orleans, and I was up against some time, but I made it.”
McGovern’s mad sprint will not be over, both. Days after signing with the Saints, the 31-year-old lineman might be known as on to begin at heart for Monday’s recreation in opposition to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Shane Lemieux, final week’s beginning heart, was dominated out Saturday with an ankle harm. And Lemieux’s potential substitute, Lucas Patrick, is questionable after struggling a groin harm in observe that induced him to overlook the final two video games. The Saints, too, have been already shorthanded at heart with Erik McCoy recovering from groin surgical procedure.
McGovern has to get caught up to the mark rapidly, however he’s up for the duty. One of the explanations that the Saints turned to McGovern is his familiarity with the workforce’s teaching employees. Saints offensive line coach John Benton labored with McGovern in New York, whereas offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and offensive assistant Rick Dennison have been a part of a Denver Broncos regime that drafted McGovern out of Missouri in 2017.
McGovern is strolling — or on this case, sprinting — to a spot he already is aware of the offense.
“I probably went through the whole range of emotions, the most being excitement,” McGovern mentioned.
Months earlier, McGovern had contemplated retiring from soccer. Last season, the previous fourth rounder dislocated his left kneecap – his second severe knee harm a yr aside. But McGovern rehabbed the harm to see how his knee would reply, and as soon as it felt higher, he was inspired to maintain enjoying.
McGovern mentioned the Saints initially confirmed curiosity throughout that point to gauge if he was in form. Though they didn’t signal him, New Orleans saved him in thoughts in case accidents occurred. In the meantime, McGovern went again to the Jets – this time as a member of their observe squad.
But observe squad gamers have the suitable to signal elsewhere, bringing McGovern to the Saints.
“Very familiar with Connor,” Kubiak mentioned. “He’s played a lot of football in this league. He’s very familiar with our style, our scheme, our verbiage. So if he gets an opportunity, I think he’ll do a great job.”
When McGovern acquired on the airplane to New Orleans, he mentioned he lastly had a second to “consider all the pieces” that had simply occurred. He took a breath.
“It definitely hit me … how special this opportunity is,” McGovern mentioned, “and how lucky I am to be here.”
