Securing a top performer in their offensive line overhaul, the New York Jets agreed to terms Friday night with former Dallas Cowboys running back Tyron Smith, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Smith will sign a one-year contract that could be worth up to $20 million with incentives, according to a source. The underlying value was not immediately available.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, returning from Achilles tendon surgery, will have a new-look line ahead of him. Within five days, the Jets added three starters: Smith, left guard John Simpson, and right tackle Morgan Moses.
The Jets had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last season, allowing 64 sacks, which ranked 28th. After being plagued by injuries and ineffectiveness, their offensive line started with 13 different combinations. The revamped line means the Jets, who pick 10th overall in the draft, won't feel pressure in drafting the tackle.
Adding Smith comes with risks. Although he is one of the most decorated linemen in the league, he also has a question of durability. He missed 33 games in the past four seasons.
There is also the age factor. In Smith and Moses, the Jets have a pair of 33-year-old cornerbacks to protect the 40-year-old quarterback. When healthy, Smith is an elite pass protector.
Smith, one of the best left tackles in the NFL for nearly a decade, started in 14 games in 2023, the most he has done since 2019, after adopting a weekly practice plan that had him working mostly on the sideline during the week.
He missed three games last season, including two with a knee injury and one when his back sprained, and has not played a full season since 2015.
Smith, who turns 34 in December, was named a second-team All-Pro after a season in which he had an 89.1% pass win rate and a 78.8% pass win rate.
He was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times and a four-time All-Pro with the Cowboys. Smith, who played right tackle as a rookie in 2011, was the first offensive lineman to be selected in the first round by the Cowboys since 1981.
His departure moves him to the top of the Cowboys' list of needs in the upcoming draft. They selected Tyler Smith in the first round in 2022 with the idea of ​​him becoming the left guard of the future, but he has played so well at left guard, earning a spot in the Pro Bowl in 2023, that the team can keep him on the interior. .
In recent years, the Cowboys have drafted tackles Josh Ball, Matt Faltzko, and Asim Richards, but none of them appear ready to take over as starters.
ESPN's Todd Archer contributed to this report.
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