When the New York Jets signed future Hall of Fame left tackle Tyron Smith to a one-year deal last offseason, it seemed like a worthy gamble for an organization that was attempting to go all-in on a Super Bowl run.
Smith was fresh off a second-team All-Pro season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2023 and was still one of the best left tackles in the NFL when healthy. Injuries were a fair concern, but few were worried about his performance on the field.
Unfortunately, in true Jets fashion, that signing marked the beginning of the end. Smith endured the worst season of his career and, predictably, saw it cut short by a season-ending neck injury after just 10 games.
On Tuesday, Tyron Smith officially announced his retirement from the NFL, ending a remarkable 14-year career. But even with Smith no longer on the roster, the Jets are still left paying for the misstep.
NY Jets are still paying for their Tyron Smith mistake
The Jets signed Smith to a one-year deal worth up to $20 million a little over a year ago. While they didn’t end up paying the full amount, it still came at a hefty cost. The Jets would ultimately pay Smith $9.25 million, including $2.75 million in total incentives.
That’s nearly $1 million per game Smith appeared in last season. Or, in other words, $1.85 million for each sack he allowed.
Smith looked like a shell of his former self during his time with the Jets. The eight-time Pro Bowler surrendered five sacks — his most since his 2011 rookie season — and allowed 22 total pressures in just 10 games, his highest mark since 2019.
The kicker? The Jets are still on the hook for $6.4 million in dead cap in 2025, thanks to the original structure of Smith’s deal. Even in retirement, they’re paying for the player he once was.
That’s a costly investment for a player who was on the verge of being benched halfway through the season before an injury ultimately ended his NFL career. Consider it one final parting gift from former Jets general manager Joe Douglas.
Tyron Smith will rightfully be remembered as one of the premier left tackles of his generation, a dominant force and surefire future Hall of Famer. But his brief stint with the Jets will go down as an unfortunate footnote in an otherwise legendary career.