UPDATE: Nick Mangold says he is not running for Congress.

Ex-Jets center Nick Mangold has been politically active in the Republican Party for a while.

But now, he is thinking about running for Congress, according to Essex County Republican Chairman Al Barlas, in an interview with Politico. (InsiderNJ.com had the story first.)

Rodney Frelinghuysen, a 71-year-old Republican who represents New Jersey's 11th congressional district, is retiring. Mangold is considering running in the Republican primary to replace him.

"I had a conversation with him," Barlas told Politico. "He's intrigued by the idea. He has to think it over and talk with his wife. After an 11-year playing career and a college career, he's enjoying being at home with his wife and kids."

The 11th district covers most of Morris County, where Mangold lives.

Mangold, 34, spent his entire NFL career with the Jets, from 2006-16. He hasn't played in the league since the Jets cut him after the 2016 season. But he hasn't ruled out a possible return to football, after recovering from a foot/ankle injury.

Mangold publicly supported Donald Trump's presidential campaign and introduced him at a rally in Ohio, Mangold's home state. Mangold, before the election, declined to say what he thought about Trump's campaign proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States.

Just one person has entered the Republican primary to replace Frelinghuysen -- Jay Webber, an Assemblyman from the 26th district, which primarily covers Essex and Morris counties.

Barlas told Politico that Mangold is a registered Republican, and he has voted in three of the last five primaries, and six of the last seven general elections.

"He's a different candidate," Barlas said. "He gives different name ID."

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.