Jets cut ties with 2 defenders, sign another UFL standout

The New York Jets have been busy making tweaks to their training roster this week, as they made several additions and subtractions on Wednesday.

It started in the morning, when it was reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter that they signed undrafted free agent tight end Connor Hulstein. The move came just a day after it was revealed that Kenyon Sadiq was likely to miss the remainder of training camp due to a setback in his hernia surgery recovery.

Then, later in the afternoon, The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt revealed the Jets were cutting ties with two defenders and signing another-- making it a two-for-two swap when including this morning's transaction.

New York is waiving defensive lineman Eric Watts with an injury designation, cutting ties with Keidron Smith, and signing defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins, who was most recently with the UFL's Columbus Aviators.

New York Jets make 1 addition, cut ties with 2 other defenders

Both Watts and Smith were holdovers from the 2025 season, and in Watt's case, he was even a member of the 2024 team.

An undrafted free agent, Watts appeared in 18 games across two seasons with the Jets and recorded 23 tackles. He saw the most amount of usage on special teams, playing 37% and 31% of special teams snaps in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Smith, another former undrafted free agent, was only with the Jets for the end of the 2025 season. After injuries ravaged New York's secondary late in the year, he was poached from the Denver Broncos' practice squad and thrust into action.

The Kentucky product appeared in the last three games of the year, starting one. He recorded 15 tackles and played 32% of defensive snaps.

Both players will look to latch on elsewhere across the league as training camp continues deep into August.

As for the Jets' newest addition, Jenkins, he doesn't have any regular season action under his belt as an NFL player, but spent training camp with the Arizona Cardinals last summer and found a home with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad in late December.

Jenkins played in the UFL this past spring, starting with the DC Defenders before being traded to the Aviators. He recorded 22 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.

In an already crowded defensive line room, Jenkins has an uphill climb to carve out a role for himself on this Jets roster. But he'll have plenty of time in camp and the preseason to put his best foot forward.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow