Jets Decline Mazi Smith's Option, Audition Looms

0:00On April 29th, the New York Jets just declined the fifth-year option on defensive tackle Mazzie Smith's contract, meaning his time with the team likely. Ends after the 2026 season, that option would have paid him $13.9 million in 2027, but now he's locked in for just $2.6 million next year. Earlier this week, ESPN's rich Tamini broke the news. Smith came over from the Dallas Cowboys at the 2025 trade deadline, in a big swap descent Quinn and Williams to Dallas, along with a 2026 second-round pick and a conditional 2027 first. Smith barely made ways after the move, playing three games for the Jets with zero defensive stats and logging just three tackles in five games with. The Cowboys that year, over his career since being the 26 overall pick in 2023, he's got 39 games, 57 tackles, and two sex. The Jets are in rebuild mode under head coach Aaron Glenn, and their defense ranked 31st

1:00in scoring last season, giving up 29.6 points per game. They also grabbed Tavandre's sweat from the Titans this off season to beef up the line. With free agency looming after 2026, this year's on track to be Smith's big audition to show he's got more to offer than his numbers. Jets so far.