Tyron Smith has likely played his final game with the NY Jets

The NY Jets had high expectations when they signed Tyron Smith to a one-year, $6.5 million contract this offseason. Smith was fresh off a 2023 season in which he was named second-team All-Pro — the fifth All-Pro honor in his illustrious career.

The Jets were understandably cautious about his injury history, which is partially why the team used the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to select left tackle Olu Fashanu. It turns out they were right to be cautious.

Smith suffered a neck injury in the team's Week 10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and has not been able to practice since. Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich told reporters that Smith's injury isn't improving fast enough and that he's a strong candidate to be placed on the injured reserve.

The future Hall of Famer was held out of practice again on Wednesday and seems likely to be placed on IR in the coming days. Such a decision would sideline Smith until at least Week 17, effectively ending his season.

Tyron Smith was a bust of a signing for the NY Jets

While the Jets had some pause regarding Smith's health situation, there were few concerns about his level of play prior to the signing. Smith had allowed just three sacks and 21 pressures in 2023, earning a Pro Football Focus pass rush grade of 88.6, which led all qualified offensive tackles.

The expectation was that, if healthy, Smith would continue to serve as one of the best left tackles in the NFL, anchoring the left side of the Jets' offensive line. That hasn't been the case.

Smith has already allowed more pressures and sacks through 10 games than he did all last season. He's allowed the ninth-most sacks (five) among all tackles while surrendering 22 total pressures.

His struggles this season have been slightly overblown, however. Smith's 22 pressures are tied for the 28th most among all offensive tackles while his 73.6 PFF grade is actually above-average for the position.

Part of his struggles can be blamed on an immobile quarterback and a high degree of difficulty. Only two tackles, Jordan Mailata and Tristan Wirfs, have a higher island rate in the NFL this season, and Smith has actually performed at a league-average level in those situations.

He's certainly been a disappointment relative to expectations, but Smith's issues in 2024 have been exaggerated a bit. Nonetheless, the Jets likely won't be in any hurry to bring Smith back from his injury given the presence of Fashanu.

Fashanu has shown flashes since replacing Smith at left tackle, and the Jets would probably prefer to play him for the rest of the season. Even if Smith is eligible to return, it's hard to imagine him regaining his spot in the starting lineup barring an injury or two.

The Jets believed they had signed an All-Pro-caliber left tackle when they added Smith this offseason. Instead, his performance can be seen as a microcosm of the season as a whole — a disappointment.

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