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.

4. Former NY Jets OL Dan Feeney signed with the Miami Dolphins

The Jets have been in the market for offensive line help this offseason, but they've been unable to sign anyone yet. They also saw veteran backup lineman Dan Feeney sign with the Miami Dolphins this week.

Feeney joins the Dolphins on a one-year deal after two seasons spent in Florham Park. The former Chargers third-round pick started seven games over two years with the Jets and was the team's primary backup interior offensive lineman.

As a sixth or seventh offensive lineman, Feeney definitely has some value. He's versatile enough to play all three interior offensive line spots and is seemingly a good locker room guy.

The Jets will need to restock their interior offensive line depth with Feeney now gone. Look for them to make a move in free agency or stock up in the 2023 NFL Draft.

3. Former NY Jets RB James Robinson signed with the New England Patriots

The New England Patriots signed former Jets running back James Robinson to a two-year, $4.5 million deal with an additional $3.5 million in incentives on Wednesday. The deal has a maximum value of $8 million.

Like Jeff Smith, the Jets didn't tender Robinson's contract as a restricted free agent this offseason. The Jets traded for Robinson midseason, but the former Jacksonville Jaguars running back was soon benched in favor of undrafted rookie Zonovan Knight.

Robinson's Jets tenure was a disappointment as he finished with just 85 yards on 29 carries in four games. The Patriots are hoping that an extra year removed from the torn Achilles he suffered late in 2021 will help.

The Jets explored the possibility of signing Jamaal Williams and could still be in the running back market, but bringing back Robinson never made sense after his lackluster 2022 season.

2. Former NY Jets WR Braxton Berrios signed with the Miami Dolphins

Former Jets wide receiver Braxton Berrios is returning to the place where he played college ball as he signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins on Thursday.

Berrios was released by the Jets in a cost-saving move earlier this month, the only cap casualty the Jets have made at the time of writing. Hopes were high for Berrios in 2022 following an impressive 2021 campaign that saw him earn All-Pro honors as a return specialist.

Unfortunately, Berrios regressed significantly this past season. He wasn't the same reliable depth receiver that he had been in the past, dropping three passes in 2022 after dropping just four total in his three prior seasons in the NFL.

Berrios is a great fit in the Dolphins offense, and I'm sure it helped that he was able to return "home" to Miami. It also doesn't hurt that he's reuniting with both Dan Feeney and the last player on our list.

1. Former NY Jets QB Mike White signed with the Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins made it a trifecta, signing former Jets quarterback Mike White to a two-year, $8 million contract with an additional $8 million to be earned in incentives.

White is from Florida and grew up just 22 miles north of Miami, so much like Berrios, this is a bit of a homecoming of sorts. He receives an incentive-laden deal with a clear path for playing time in the case Tua Tagovailoa's injury woes resurface.

White gave the Jets numerous memorable moments in just two seasons with the team. From his Hall-of-Fame performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021 to his dominant showing against the Chicago Bears this year, White had a noteworthy stint with the Jets.

The Jets could still look to add a backup quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers with White now out of the picture. The opportunity and money just weren't going to be there for White in New York.