5 former NY Jets players who signed with rival teams this offseason

The NY Jets have made only one external addition in free agency at the time of writing, reportedly agreeing to terms on a four-year, $44 million contract with wide receiver Allen Lazard this week.

But while the Jets have been slow to sign new players, their own internal free agents have quickly been signed by other teams. Eight pending Jets free agents have already found new homes, including starting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.

Interestingly enough, of the eight Jets free agents to sign with new teams, five of them have joined Jets' rivals. This includes teams in the AFC East as well as the Jets' crosstown rivals, the New York Giants.

Along with Rankins, Nate Herbig, and Nathan Shepherd, let's take a look at the other five Jets free agents who have signed with new teams in free agency.

5. Former NY Jets WR Jeff Smith signed with the New York Giants

The New York Giants signed former Jets wide receiver Jeff Smith to a one-year, $1.2 million deal on Wednesday. The Jets opted not to tender Smith who was a restricted free agent this offseason.

A former college quarterback, Smith joined the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and actually spent four seasons with the team. He finishes his Jets career with 34 catches for 426 yards in 36 games.

It's a little odd to see a player like Smith sign so early in free agency, but the Giants clearly targeted him and made him a priority. He joins the likes of Jason Pinnock and Lawrence Cager as fringe Jets roster players to join the Giants within the last year.

Smith will compete for snaps in a rebuilding Giants wide receiver room and look to provide value on special teams.