The Jets acquired a blindside protector for Aaron Rodgers on Friday night.
The team has agreed to a one-year contract with former Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith, according to sources.
Financial terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed, but reports say Smith could earn up to $20 million through incentives.
Base salary is much lower than that.
Smith is a key piece in general manager Joe Douglas’ rebuild of the offensive line.
Smith is an eight-time Pro Bowler and a two-time first-team All-Pro selection with Dallas.
He was named second-team All-Pro last year.
At 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, he’s a big man the Jets could slot in at left tackle, and the revamped line will feature Smith at left tackle, John Simpson at left guard, Joe Tippman at center and Aliyah. Vera-Tucker will be the left tackle. right guard and right tackle Morgan Moses;
The Jets signed Simpson this week and traded him for Moses.
The Jets’ offensive line was a weak point in 2023. Last season, the Jets allowed 64 sacks, the fourth-most in the NFL.
With Rodgers recovering from an Achilles injury and turning 41 this season, the Jets knew they needed to strengthen his defense.
The only questions about Smith are his age and durability.
Smith is 33 years old and has missed time due to injury in recent years.
After playing in only four games in 2022 and two games in 2020, he was able to play in 13 games last season and was good enough to be named to the All-Pro second team.
Smith did not practice with the Cowboys last season as he dealt with neck and back issues. The Jets could take a similar approach to keep him available for the season.
Signing Smith would give the Jets flexibility in next month’s draft, but that is no longer a necessity, as most projections had Gang Green being taken at tackle with the 10th overall pick.
Smith and Moses are only on one-year deals, so the Jets could still go down that path.
But the Jets can now decide whether to acquire wide receiver, Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, or trade him back.
Smith is Douglas’ biggest splash in the first week of free agency.
His other contracts were more about value than big name.
However, the Jets will have a big-time pass rusher visiting early next week.
2014 No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney is scheduled to visit the Jets on Monday and Tuesday. Clowney had nine and a half sacks for the Ravens last season.
The Jets are looking for an edge rusher to join their rotation after losing Bryce Huff to the Eagles in free agency.
In addition to Smith, the Jets agreed to re-sign defensive tackle Solomon Thomas on Friday.
Thomas spent the past two seasons with the Jets, recording five sacks last year as part of the Jets’ forward rotation.
The last big hole left for the Jets is wide receiver. It will be interesting to see if Douglas signs a proven No. 2 receiver in free agency or waits until the draft to acquire him.
Mike Williams, who was waived by the Chargers this week, is the top receiver on the market and will visit the Jets on Monday.
He is scheduled to visit the Panthers on Tuesday.
