The Jets landed Aaron Rodgers blindside protector on Friday night.
The team agreed to a one-year deal with former Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith, according to a source.
The financial terms of the deal were not immediately known but reports stated Smith could earn up to $20 million through incentives.
The base salary will be much lower than that.
Smith is a massive piece in general manager Joe Douglas’ rebuild of the offensive line.
Smith is an eight-time Pro Bowler and has been twice named first-team All Pro with Dallas.
He was second-team All-Pro last year.
At 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, he is a large man the Jets can slot in at left tackle and their revamped line should have Smith at left tackle with John Simpson at left guard, Joe Tippmann at center, Alijah Vera-Tucker at right guard and Morgan Moses at right tackle.
The Jets signed Simpson this week and traded for Moses.
The Jets’ offensive line was a weakness in 2023. The Jets allowed 64 sacks last season, tied for the fourth-most in the NFL.
With Rodgers coming off an Achilles injury and turning 41 this season, the Jets knew they had to beef up their protection for him.
The only question about Smith is his age and durability.
Smith is 33 years old and has missed time in recent years with injuries.
He played just four games in 2022 and two in 2020. But last season he was able to play 13 games and was good enough to be named second-team All-Pro.
Smith did not practice last season with the Cowboys as he dealt with neck and back issues. The Jets could take a similar approach to get him through the season.
Signing Smith gives the Jets flexibility in next month’s draft, as most projections had Gang Green taking a tackle with the No. 10 overall pick — but that is no longer a must.
The Jets still could go that route because Smith and Moses only have one-year contracts.
But the Jets could now decide to take a wide receiver or Georgia tight end Brock Bowers or trade back.
Smith is the biggest splash that Douglas made during the first week of free agency.
His other signings were more about value than big names.
The Jets do have a big-name pass rusher visiting early next week, though.
Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick from 2014, is scheduled to visit the Jets on Monday and Tuesday. Clowney had 9 ½ sacks last season for the Ravens.
The Jets are searching 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 has spent the past two seasons with the Jets and had five sacks last year as part of the Jets rotation up front.
The last big hole remaining on the Jets is at wide receiver. It will be interesting to see if Douglas signs a proven No. 2 receiver in free agency or waits to the Draft to land one.
Mike Williams, who was cut by the Chargers this week, is the top receiver on the market and is visiting the Jets on Monday.
He will have a visit with the Panthers on Tuesday.
