Smith, who played right tackle in college at USC before flipping to the left side in the pros, retires with a borderline Hall of Fame resume. He was named to the Hall of Fame’s All-2010s team and finished first-team All-Pro twice along with three placements on the second team. Smith was especially dominant over a 2013-2016 peak wherein he finished with an 85.9 PFF grade or higher in all four seasons. Injuries slowed him in his later years, including in a 10-game stint with the Jets that concluded with him on injured reserve with a neck injury in 2024. He’ll sign a one-day contract to retire as a Cowboy.

Tyron Smith will be eligible to return in Week 17, though the Jets are all but certain to be eliminated from the playoffs at that time, so this may be the last we’ve seen of Smith in a Jets uniform. Smith signed a one-year deal with the Jets in the offseason. Pro Football Focus graded him as a plus blocker in both the pass and run game, but will fail to come close to playing a full season once again. Smith last played more than 13 games in 2015 and has only hit 13 once in the past five years. The former Cowboy will have plenty of suitors on the open market, but his injury woes will limit him to another short-term deal.

Smith’s neck isn’t improving at the rate the Jets had hoped. It would not at all be surprising if the Jets placed the veteran on IR considering their lack of anything to play for this year, they might as well see what Olu Fashanu can be at left tackle. So far, so good on that front, as the rookie has played better at his natural position against the Cardinals and Colts in New York’s last two games.

Injured reserve is a possibility for Smith, who didn’t practice all week and was declared out on Friday. Mosley (neck) also may be looking at an injured reserve spot at some point, he missed every practice this week. Hanson is dealing with a hamstring and didn’t practice this week. The other three players are healthy scratches.