Book on new Jets OT Tyron Smith: 'Excited for a new chapter'
Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith in action against the Packers during an NFL wild-card playoff game on Jan. 14 in Arlington, Texas. Credit: AP/Maria Lysaker
Tyron Smith has an impressive resume with personal achievements that will likely land him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He has never reached a Super Bowl, though, and he believes he has a shot to get there with the Jets.
“I feel like New York definitely has the potential to do it and I’m going to do everything in my power to get to that point,” Smith said during a Thursday Zoom call.
Smith was the Jets’ big free-agent pickup. He made eight Pro Bowls and was All-Pro five times playing left tackle for the Cowboys. After 13 seasons in Dallas, Smith signed a one-year deal with the Jets to protect Aaron Rodgers.
The 33-year-old Smith said his choices initially were re-signing with Dallas or going to the Jets. He quickly realized the Jets would be his new team and Smith “got excited for a new chapter in my life.”
“I saw what they can do as far as a team,” Smith said. ““I just feel like they have all the pieces together right now and they’re getting the final pieces this offseason to produce a team that can go all the way.
“I’ve played against Aaron throughout my career. I know what kind of quarterback he is, I know what he can do if you just give him a little bit of time. I’m going to do my best to give him that time.”
The Jets are building around and for Rodgers this offseason. General manager Joe Douglas is putting together a team that has a real chance of ending the Jets’ 13-year playoff drought — and he’s not done assembling it.
They reloaded on the offensive line, adding veteran right tackle Morgan Moses and left guard John Simpson. The Jets also signed receiver Mike Williams, a big playmaker who gives the offense more talent and versatility.
The Jets gave Smith an incentive-filled contract that has a $6.5 million base. He could make another $13.5 million through playing time and personal and team performance. It’s surprising that Smith didn’t receive more interest. His age and injury history could have played factors.
Smith hasn’t played more than 13 games for eight consecutive years. He’s missed 37 games over the last four seasons. But Smith played at a high level in 13 games last year, earning second-team All-Pro honors. He said he’s healthy now and he can “go full tilt” this offseason.
“The way my contract is, it speaks for what’s been happening for the past couple of years,” Smith said. “Honestly, I think it’s a fair deal and I just got to go out there and prove that and continue to play at the high level that they expect me to.”
Smith’s reputation speaks for itself. Tyrod Taylor, the Jets’ new backup quarterback, smiled Thursday when he was asked about Smith and what he means for a quarterback.
“It gives you comfort,” Taylor said. “I got a lot of respect for Tyron and I’m looking forward to playing with him. Obviously, you have a safety blanket over there to the left. He’s been a hell of a player for a lot of years. We look forward to being protected on the left side with him.”
Moses, a 10-year veteran, said it’s “something special” to be the other half of the “bookend tackles” with Smith and learning from him.
“I feel like I can always get better, I can always learn different tricks,” Moses said. “I look forward to picking his brain because he’s done it at a high level for so long. I look forward to pairing with him, and learning what I can from him and hopefully he can learn a little bit from me.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
