Aaron Rodgers will have a new big man protecting him in 2024.
The Jets are expected to sign former Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith to a one-year deal worth up to $20 million, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Friday, per sources.
Smith, 33, hit the free-agent market for the first time in his career after spending 13 seasons in Dallas. Smith earned eight Pro Bowl nods for the Cowboys and was the longest-tenured player on the team this past season.
Throughout his career in Dallas, Smith became known as one of the best tackles around the league. The first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft will now move on from protecting Dak Prescott to Rodgers in New York.
In the past few years, Smith's play has been derailed due to injuries. He missed most of the 2020 and 2022 seasons. Since 2020, Smith has started 30 regular-season games and earned one Pro Bowl appearance. That will be something to keep an eye on, as the incentives in his contract for playing time start at 38 percent, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported Saturday, per sources.
Smith's arrival in New York is a huge help considering how the Jets' offense line performed in 2023 and the need to protect a now 40-year-old Rodgers coming off an Achilles tear. The unit allowed 64 sacks last season, tied for the fourth-most in the league. As for Smith, he was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded pass-blocking tackle in 2023 with an 88.6 pass-blocking grade, per NFL Research. His 84.6 PFF offensive grade ranked fifth among all tackles.
New York is continuing to do all it can to bolster the line. The Jets have also added John Simpson and acquired Morgan Moses from Baltimore. They'll have a slew of new protectors to help improve upon last year, while the Cowboys will see what life is like without one of their longtime anchors along the offensive line.
