The Jets addressing their offensive line was by far the top priority coming into free agency.
After needing three starters up front, they didn’t waste time addressing that need.
The Jets signed left guard John Simpson and left tackle Tyron Smith. They also acquired right tackle Morgan Moses in a trade with the Ravens.
Over the last two years, the Jets’ offensive line has been snakebitten by injuries. In 2022, 11 different players started games on the offensive line. Last season, the Jets had 14 different offensive line combinations in 17 games.
With Aaron Rodgers, 40, coming off a season-ending Achilles injury four plays into his Jets debut last September, fortifying the offensive line was an absolute must.
“It’s a good group of guys,” Smith said about the Jets offensive line. “Guys that have experience on their belt. I feel like once we get together and get on the same page, I feel like there are going to be some great things being done.”
Gang Green signed Simpson after he agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal. He began his career with the Raiders after the team selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Simpson started all 17 games for the Raiders in 2021. But he only started two games in 2022 and was waived later that season.
The Ravens then signed Simpson to their practice squad. He later became a starter on a team that finished 13-4 in 2023 and was the top seed in the AFC. In 17 games last season, Simpson only allowed one sack and committed 11 penalties for the Ravens.
“The new coaching staff came there and they drafted a guy,” Simpson said about his situation with the Raiders. “I felt like they really didn’t want me there and I kind of lost my confidence along the way.
“When the Ravens picked me up, it was kind of a brand new start and they gave me a fresh start and a way to show myself. Basically to create a new identity for me and that’s what I needed.
“I needed a new jump-start, and I think it has paid off, and it has helped me. It has been really big for me and I appreciate what the Ravens organization helped me do.”
Before Simpson, 26, signed with the Jets, he called Moses, who he played with last season and asked him to give him the rundown of the team. Moses played for Robert Saleh and the Jets in 2021 before he signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Ravens during the 2022 offseason.
Not long after Simpson decided to come to the Jets, Moses was traded to the Jets for a fourth-round pick (No. 112) and a sixth-round pick (No. 218).
Moses, 33, has been relatively durable during his career. He has played at least 16 games in eight of his 10 seasons in the league.
However, Moses tore his pectoral muscle in Week 4, but he continued to play through the injury. In 778 snaps, Moses allowed five sacks and committed six penalties for Baltimore.
“I had surgery about six weeks ago,” Moses said. “I’m moving around, feeling great, getting back in shape, things like that. I just look forward to being around the guys and stuff like that and doing the things that I need to do to get back on the field and prepare myself the way I need to.
“Unfortunately, this is not my first rodeo with having surgery and stuff like that. I like the fact that I went through the whole season with that injury and still play at a high level. I look forward to having two arms this year.”
Smith knows about the injury bug throughout his career. He has not played an entire season since 2015.
That didn’t stop the Jets from signing Smith to a one-year contract that could potentially be worth up to $20 million.
Despite his injuries, Smith, 33, has remained one of the best left tackles in the NFL. In his final season for the Cowboys, Smith allowed just one sack in 14 games and was named a second-team All-Pro.
Smith’s free agency options were to either remain with the Cowboys, with whom he played 13 seasons, or sign with the Jets. He decided to sign with the Jets because Smith believes they are close to becoming a winner.
“I saw what they can do,” Smith said. “Everyone wants to win as every New York team does.
“I just feel like they have all the pieces together and they added the final pieces this offseason to produce a team that could go all the way.
“I played against Aaron throughout my career and I know what kind of quarterback he is. I know what he can do if you just give him a little bit of time. I’m sure we will do our best to give him that time.”
