Tyron Smith’s departure from the Cowboys marks the end of a remarkable 13-season stint. As he embarks on his fourteenth year in the NFL, there’s potential for him to earn a substantial sum, reportedly up to $20 million. However, achieving that figure will require meeting several performance benchmarks.
According to a league source, Smith’s one-year deal with the Jets guarantees him $6.5 million. To unlock the majority of his potential earnings, he’ll need to maintain a high level of availability and on-field contribution.
Meeting criteria like participating in at least 90 percent of offensive snaps throughout the season is essential for maximizing his compensation.
However, Smith hasn’t achieved such durability since at least 2015, which was the last year he missed fewer than three full games.
Despite the inventive structure of the contract, the Jets were surprised that Smith accepted the offer, indicating that there may not have been more enticing opportunities available to the 33-year-old tackle as free agency’s first week concluded.
For the Jets, this deal offers significant flexibility and protection. The more Smith plays, the more he stands to earn, mitigating the risk of potential setbacks due to injury.
Given Smith’s recent injury history, which saw him miss significant portions of the 2022 and 2020 seasons, the Jets’ cautious approach is understandable. Now, Smith has a strong financial incentive to recapture the durability and performance level he demonstrated earlier in his career, particularly in 2015.
