Sterling Shepard may be the Jets’ easiest solution to their growing Arian Smith problem

Next Sunday marks 995 days since veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard caught a pass for a New York-based football team. 

If the New York Jets intend to beat the Detroit Lions next week, we suggest Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey keep Shepard’s drought from hitting the four-digit mark.

We’d like to think that the 33-year-old Shepard would provide far greater value than Arian Smith, who has quickly become a lightning rod among Jets fans. Not only did the 24-year-old Smith miss a key tackle on Green Bay Packers receiver Skyy Moore's punt return, but he only played one offensive snap during Sunday's loss despite the team having only four active receivers.

Without falling into full Monday Morning Quarterback mode, the time to cut ties with Smith has finally arrived for a Jets offense that’s shown flashes through the season’s first two weeks.

The New York Jets must replace Arian Smith with veteran receiver Sterling Shepard

Glenn and Mougey both earned rave reviews for the 2026 roster’s construction, whether it was last year’s Adonai Mitchell acquisition or an immensely talented draft class. But one of the stranger decisions was keeping Smith, a 2025 fourth-round pick, on the 53-man roster following initial cuts.

Smith struggled with drops throughout the offseason, most notably failing to snag a Bailey Zappe pass in the Jets' preseason opener; that play led to an interception, and we subsequently wondered whether he’d sealed his fate as a cut candidate. Clearly, none of the Jets’ lead football figures bothered to read The Jet Press.

In all seriousness, there’s no reason for Smith to suit up against the Lions in Week 3. Although Shepard turns 34 in January, he still managed to be productive in his two seasons with the Buccaneers; the 2016 second-round pick had 71 catches, 709 yards, and two touchdowns over 27 games in Tampa Bay. 

Shepard joined the Jets’ practice squad last week, so it’s not like they’d need to make a splash trade or signing. The smartest move is to waive Smith, promote Shepard, and hope that they can stash the former on the practice squad. We personally would look elsewhere for a depth body, but Mougey and Glenn might still see enough in Smith to validate keeping him around.

Alternatively, the Jets could simply promote Shepard and make Smith a healthy scratch, though that’s arguably a waste of a 53-man roster spot. With respect to Smith, he hasn’t earned the right to stick around, and he doesn’t have the leverage to help management look past the history of drops, as the Giants often did with the recently released Darius Slayton.

If the Jets were to cut Smith, they’d be on the hook for what remains of his standard four-year rookie contract. Perhaps they could convince the injury-plagued San Francisco 49ers to take a chance on the ex-Georgia receiver?

Indianapolis Colts standout Alec Pierce was carted off with an ankle injury during Sunday night’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and they’d also make sense as a possible landing spot for Smith.

Either way, Week 2 should be the final reminder that Smith needs a fresh start, and the Jets must admit defeat before he hurts them again.

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