The New York Jets entered the 2024 season with high hopes for eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith after signing him to a one-year, $6.5 million contract worth up to $20 million in incentives.
However, Smith has not come close to meeting expectations. Here is a look at Smith’s numbers (via Pro Football Focus) through the season’s first seven games and where they rank among tackles:
- 6 penalties (9th-most)
- 5 sacks allowed (3rd)
- 4 hits allowed (8th)
- 10 hurries allowed (18th)
- 19 total pressures allowed (6th)
Smith’s struggles are concerning, as they represent a major step back compared to last season. His 19 total pressures are already more than the 18 he allowed in 13 games during the 2023 season. His penalty total has doubled from three to six.
New York expected Smith to anchor the offensive line. Yet, he has arguably been the line’s weakest link. Here’s where Smith ranks among Jets offensive linemen through the first seven games:
- Most penalties
- Most sacks allowed
- T-1st in hits allowed
- Most hurries allowed
- Most total pressures allowed
Entering the season, the Jets’ most significant concern about Smith was his health. He had missed at least three games in eight consecutive seasons, which led the team to draft tackle Olu Fashanu with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The plan was for Fashanu to develop behind Smith while the veteran anchored a revamped offensive line when healthy. In the meantime, Fashanu provided depth in the event of an injury to Smith.
Seven weeks in, though, injuries have not been an issue for Smith. He has yet to miss an offensive snap. Despite his good health, Smith’s performance has declined significantly. After being named a second-team All-Pro in 2023, the Jets never imagined he would take such a steep drop-off in one year.
Smith’s struggles have sparked calls from fans to bench him in favor of Fashanu, who has already stepped in for two starts at right tackle for an injured Morgan Moses.
The Jets figured Fashanu would see time at left tackle this year, but they thought it would be due to Smith’s injury woes, not his performance on the field. Unfortunately, the time has come to ask the question: Should the Jets bench Tyron Smith?
How much rope does Tyron Smith have left?
While many fans have lost confidence in Smith, the team’s coaching staff remains confident in the five-time All-Pro.
“Just like everybody, just like this team, we got to get into a groove, and we’re about to do that,” interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich explained. “I feel that coming on, so [Smith is] improving just like the rest of them are improving, and we’re about to be the best version of ourselves this Sunday.”
Given Smith’s track record, the team does not seem to be in a rush to bench the veteran tackle. While some argue he should be replaced by Fashanu, the Penn State product has struggled in his two starts this season, allowing nine pressures and earning an overall PFF grade of 49.0. Although Fashanu’s struggles could be partly due to playing out of position at right tackle, his case for a starting role remains weak.
For now, Smith deserves the starting spot. Despite falling short of expectations, he’s stayed healthy, a key issue throughout his career, and has the potential to improve. Smith’s eight Pro Bowl seasons over his 14-year career establish him as one of the league’s top left tackles, while Fashanu has yet to log a snap at that position in the NFL.
However, if Smith’s poor performance continues this Sunday against a struggling New England defense with the Jets on the brink of playoff elimination, it may be time to give Fashanu the starting nod.
