During their Week 10 clash with the Arizona Cardinals, the New York Jets benched Tyron Smith due to a neck injury. However, one analyst believes the team should consider a permanent shift to the bench for the veteran for the rest of the 2024 season.
Joe Caporoso voiced on social media that Olu Fashanu “should start every game at LT [left tackle] from here on out.”
Jets’ Investment in Smith Hasn’t Paid Off
Until his injury against the Cardinals, Smith had played every snap this season.
The Jets brought him in this offseason on a one-year deal with a maximum value of $20 million, largely tied to playing time incentives. The primary concern was expected to be his durability.
Although Smith has been able to stay on the field without issue, his performance has been lackluster. There’s no easy way to put it—Smith has struggled significantly this year.
On social media, SNY’s Connor Hughes noted that Smith allowed his seventh sack of the season against the Cardinals. This is the second-highest sack total he has surrendered in a single season, only surpassed by his rookie year in 2011 when he allowed eight sacks, according to PFF.
With seven games remaining in the 2024 season, the situation could worsen.
Injury Opened the Door for a Change the Jets Needed
Even though 2024 is a “win-now” year, the Jets also had an eye on the future when they used their No. 11 overall pick to select Fashanu from Penn State back in April.
Fashanu has spent his entire career at left tackle. However, Smith’s signing blocked his path to the starting role in 2024, relegating him to a backup role.
This season, injuries have given Fashanu limited reps at right guard (37) and right tackle (159), as per Pro Football Focus.
Fashanu represents the future for the Jets at left tackle, the role he’ll likely occupy for years to come. Now, with Smith sidelined, it looks like Fashanu may finally have the opportunity to play the position he was drafted for.
On Monday, November 11, interim Jets head coach Jeff Ulbrich announced that Smith was undergoing an MRI for his neck.
Regardless of Smith’s health status, the Jets should consider making a business decision. Benching a future Hall of Famer is difficult, but Fashanu is the better option for the long term, and even in the short term, he deserves the chance to learn through the ups and downs of his rookie season.
Fashanu is expected to be with the Jets next season; Smith likely will not.
With the playoffs looking out of reach, the Jets need to focus on evaluating their roster to determine who is worth building around in the future.
