'I Grew Up a Jets Fan!' Super Bowl Offensive Lineman Targeting New York

The New York Jets will be at home for the Super Bowl, but they may get a good look at a future free-agent acquisition. Is Kansas City Chiefs tackle Donovan Smith coming home?

The New York Jets need all the help they can get to rebuild an offense that turned to dust without veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. With needs among the receiving corps an offensive line – and no second-round pick – it’s going to take more than a blue-chip prospect to solve New York’s problems.

As such, they’ll head to free agency with an eye toward offensive players who can be a part of the Jets’ next competitive roster.

One such target could be Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Donovan Smith, who’ll be suiting up for Sunday’s Super Bowl. A pending free agent, there looks to be mutual interest.

Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Donovan Smith (79) on the line of scrimmage against the Philadelphia Eagles during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

“I grew up a Jets fan,” Smith told the New York Post. “I’m from New York, so that would definitely be something I would appreciate before my career ends. It would, for sure, be cool to be able to have my name and number on the jersey of my hometown team I grew up with and watched as my favorite.”

Smith, 30, was born in Hempstead, New York. Growing up on Long Island meant Smith got to see the playoff teams of the early 2000s. However, he moved away to Maryland around New York’s 21st-century pinnacle: its back-to-back AFC Championship Game appearances.

Given the lofty expectations an Aaron Rodgers-led Jets team brings, it’s possible Smith can help his hometown team return to the heights of his childhood. Of course, they haven’t made the playoffs since that fateful 2010 season.

Smith brings Super Bowl pedigree, having won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2020 season and returning with Kansas City on Sunday.

However, just because the Jets need an upgrade at offensive tackle, doesn’t mean Smith fits the bill. Of the 56 offensive tackles with 700 snaps this season, Smith ranked 42nd in Pro Football Focus’ pass block grade and 52nd in the run game.

He’s also committed 10 penalties – the 12th-most of that group – and the 10th-most pressures (47). In a season where Rodgers, playing on the wrong side of 40 years old, won’t have the mobility to mitigate woes in pass protection, Smith projects as yet another liability for New York.

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Perhaps there’s a deal where Smith can come in as a depth option, but given the Jets’ priorities and how important the offensive line will be to keeping Rodgers upright and effective, general manager Joe Douglas may have to play the villain and spoil Smith’s homecoming aspirations.

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