Jets' Arian Smith pick keeps getting worse as benching reason revealed

While NY Jets general manager Darren Mougey appears to have landed a few long-term starters in the 2025 NFL Draft by using his first three picks on projected 2026 starters in right tackle Armand Membou, tight end Mason Taylor, and cornerback Azareye'h Thomas. However, he appears to have whiffed on fourth-round wide receiver Arian Smith.

Widely considered to be a late Day 3 target, the Jets picked the Georgia speedster high in the fourth round with the thought he could be the vertical field stretcher this offense needs. It appears as though Smith's role in this offense has evaporated into nothing almost immediately.

Smith was named a healthy scratch in the Jets' Week 13 win against the Atlanta Falcons, which was coincidentally one of the Jets' best passing games of the season. The reason for this benching might be the final nail in the coffin for the bastion of Smith supporters.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed that Smith was benched for disciplinary reasons that he chose to keep private. Not only is he struggling to beat out names like Allen Lazard and Tyler Johnson, but now he's running afoul of the coaching staff.

Jets benching Arian Smith for disciplinary reasons is a bad look

Smith has just six catches for 47 yards on the season in addition to a few largely unsuccessful end-arounds. While some optimistic fans have held onto the fact that he has been getting open against man coverage, all while Justin Fields ignored him, it seems like the coaching staff isn't holding him in very high regard.

Smith, who came into the NFL with some concerns about drops, has validated many of those concerns during the draft. While he is one of the fastest players in the league, his skillset as an overall receiver seems to be lacking.

After acquiring Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III via trade, the Jets' passing offense has immediately looked leagues better than it did despite the fact that Garrett Wilson has not played due to injury. Those two appeared to be immediate upgrades, and the Jets will likely add to this receiver room in the offseason.

The Jets remain a poor team when it comes to drafting and developing wide receivers unless they get handed a Wilson-level windfall with a top pick. After this latest setback, there's a very real chance that Smith will need to prove he is worthy of a 53-man roster spot in 2026.