Defensive tackle Mazi Smith headlines a series of roster cuts as the New York Jets pivot to a new defensive scheme, ending the former Michigan standout’s brief, struggling tenure.
The New York Jets have made a few significant cuts before the deadline to trim the roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. EST on Sunday.
The Jets released quarterback Bailey Zappe on Saturday, a player who has made several starts in the league but struggled in the preseason.
New York is also releasing a former first-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, New York is releasing defensive tackle Maxi Smith. The Cowboys traded Smith, a 2026 second-round pick and a conditional 2027 first-round pick, for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
"Jets are releasing defensive tackle Mazi Smith, who was included in last season’s trade with Dallas for Quinnen Williams," Schefter posted on X.
Smith appeared in just three games for the Jets last season.
New York is transitioning to more of a 3-4 base for the upcoming season, meaning the Jets need bigger defensive linemen up front.
"It's a big man's game -- it will always be a big man's game -- and for us to be able to add large men that have the ability that those guys have, the agility that those guys have, it only makes us better as a team," Glenn said this summer, via ESPN.
Smith, a six-foot-three, 337-pound defensive tackle, did not make the cut despite appearing to have the size the Jets would need in their new system. He didn't appear to be a fit in head coach Aaron Glenn's system last year and didn't make enough progress in training camp to make the 53-man roster before the regular season.
Smith, 25, was a standout at Michigan before being taken by the Cowboys with the No. 26 pick in the 2023 draft. He's appeared in 42 games and started in 20, making 57 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks during his time in the league.
The Jets have taken great pains to improve the front seven in the offseason, drafting Dailey Bailey with the No. 2 pick and taking nose tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. in the fourth round. New York signed defensive lineman David Onyemata in free agency.
