EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 11: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets is looked at by the medical staff on the field for an apparent injury during a game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The New York Jets were expected to compete for a Super Bowl last season when they signed future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers in March 2023. For a franchise that hasn’t made or won a world championship in over 50 years, the Jets had optimism it would end that drought with their new roster additions.
However, disaster struck for the Jets just plays into their opening game at home playing the Buffalo Bills. On just Rodgers’ third snap of the night, he dropped back and Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd tangled him up, resulting in Rodgers’ left foot falling awkwardly, resulting in a torn Achilles. New York began the season with a shaky offensive line; it ended up being the downfall of the team’s season mere minutes into its beginning.
To prevent Rodgers’ season from ending so prematurely again, the Jets have been busy in the 2024 off-season trying to sign more pieces to protect Rodgers. No move was bigger than last Friday when the team signed former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Tyron Smith. Smith spent 13 years in Dallas and made his name as not only one of the best linemen in the league but all-time as well.
He made eight Pro Bowls, was selected to the NFL’s first-team All-Pro line-up twice and was part of the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team. During his first nine seasons, Smith was very durable, starting almost every game in that period. However, in recent seasons he has missed more time, including only starting two games in 2020 and four games in 2022. Despite Smith’s recent injury history, if he is healthy he will be a valuable veteran protecting Rodgers.
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On top of signing Smith, the Jets also acquired former Baltimore Ravens linemen John Simpson and Morgan Moses to round out new offensive line additions. 2023 second-round draft pick Joe Tippmann is also expected to improve and can learn from the experienced new additions that will line up beside him.
If the Jets can protect Rodgers, and sign more offensive weapons to help him out, the sky is the limit for New York in 2024.
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