Jets' Mazi Smith in desperate need of a full-on reboot... but not in New York

When the New York Jets traded away Quinnen Williams at last year's deadline, the return New York got for their former All-Pro defensive tackle was highlighted by the first and second-round picks they received in the deal.

As a throw-in, likely to give the Jets some more bodies, the Cowboys added their former 26th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Mazi Smith.

Smith, who had spent the first two seasons of his career in Dallas, had never quite put it all together on the field. In two and a half seasons with the Cowboys, the former Michigan standout appeared in 39 games and recorded 57 tackles, two sacks, and seven tackles for loss.

In New York, he didn't produce much better. He appeared in only three games towards the end of the season, didn't record a single stat, and played 54 defensive snaps.

Smith is in need of a reboot. His career pretty much depends on it, but it's unclear if he's going to get that in New York.

Mazi Smith in desperate need of a reboot... but not with the Jets

Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski compiled a list of players who could benefit from a reboot, a la Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick Drew Allar. Smith was named as one of those players.

"Mazi Smith's potential is built upon an obvious contradiction. The 6'3", 323-pound defensive lineman is an elite athlete. At the same time, he's a poor technician. One negates the other. These traits and his skill set were readily apparent before being drafted in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys despite the latter being a significant issue."

Brent Sobleski

There's no debate that Smith needs to rework his entire game if he hopes to carve out a career for himself in the NFL.

Even on a Jets team that was scraping the bottom of the barrel last season for active players, Smith barely got on the field, and his impact was not felt in the slightest.

Heading into 2026, the Jets already declined his fifth-year option and have way too much depth in front of the former first-round pick that will give him a legit chance to compete for a role on New York's defensive line.

Not only are incumbent DTs Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips firmly entrenched in the Jets rotation, but new offseason additions T'Vondre Sweat and David Onyemata are expected to play major roles as well.

There's not a lot of space for Smith on this current Jets squad, and it's more likely that he's looking for a new home in the fall than playing in New York.

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