9 NY Jets players who definitely won't be back in 2025

8. Tyron Smith won't be back with the NY Jets in 2025

The Jets signed Tyron Smith to a one-year, $6.5 million contract in a move that seemed like one of the steals of the offseason at the time. Smith was fresh off a second-team All-Pro season with the Dallas Cowboys, and the belief was that, if healthy, he was still one of the best left tackles in the NFL.

There was no reason to believe otherwise. In 13 games with the Cowboys in 2023, Smith finished with a stellar 83.8 PFF grade which ranked fourth among all qualified offensive tackles. He allowed just one singular QB hit all season.

The Jets understood the injury risk with Smith, which is why it should come as no surprise that he missed seven games this year. The more shocking development was how suddenly he regressed.

Smith allowed more sacks (five) than any Jets player in 2024 despite only playing 10 games. His 22 pressures were the most he had allowed in a season since 2019 and ranked second-highest on the team behind rookie Olu Fashanu, whose numbers were skewed by his games at right tackle.

The Jets took a chance on Smith in an all-in season and it failed miserably. At least the team can take solace in knowing that they have their left tackle of the future waiting in the wings. As for Smith, there's a good chance his Hall of Fame career will end with this disappointing footnote.

7. Greg Zuerlein won't be back with the NY Jets in 2025

Greg Zuerlein quite literally put together the best season by a kicker in Jets franchise history in 2023. Zuerlein was a revelation for Brant Boyer's unit, helping form one of the best special teams groups in the NFL alongside Thomas Morstead, Justin Hardee, and others.

The 13-year NFL veteran connected on 35-of-38 field-goal attempts, including 5-of-6 from 50+, and was genuinely one of the best kickers in football. When the Jets rewarded him with a two-year, $6.5 million extension in the offseason, the move seemed like a no-brainer.

But no move is ever a "no-brainer" when it comes to the Jets. Zuerlein showed signs of decline in the summer and never found his footing once the season started. He almost single-handedly cost the team multiple wins this season.

Zuerlein made just 9-of-15 field goals and failed to make a kick longer than 40 yards in the eight games he played. The Jets placed him on the injured reserve with a "knee injury" and that proved to be his swan song with the team.

Zuerlein is technically still under contract in 2025, but the Jets can cut him and save just shy of $2.5 million. Expect the new regime to do just that. At 37 years old, Zuerlein's NFL career might be over.