The New York Jets are set to welcome back Smith, who posted career-best numbers during his first season with the team in 2019.
The New York Jets announced the re-signing of receiver Vyncint Smith on Saturday afternoon. Smith, who set to be a restricted free agent, joined the Jets off the Houston Texans’ practice squad in 2019.
Smith, born in Germany and an alum of Division II Limestone College, dealt with injuries during the 2020 season, limited to only a single 13-yard reception in seven games. During his debut Jets campaign, Smith earned 225 yards on 17 receptions, each career-bests to date.
Additionally, Smith showed off a brief rushing prowess in his first New York season with 52 yards on a trio of carries. His biggest play of the season was a 19-yard scoring carry in his Jets debut, earned in an October visit to Philadelphia.
Smith also became a threat in the return game for the Jets, putting up 299 yards on 10 kick return turns in 2019. During his injury-plagued season last year, fellow receiver Braxton Berrios and mid-season pick-up Corey Ballentine took over such duties. Smith is one of the rare Jets on the current roster with postseason experience, having played a majority of offensive snaps in Houston’s 2018-19 Wild Card appearance against Indianapolis.
Smith is the first of the Jets’ wide receiver issues to be resolved this offseason. He was among the free agents-to-be along with Breshad Perriman, and Jeff Smith (no relation). Jamison Crowder could also be a departure for salary cap reasons, with potentially $10.5 million in cap space available upon his departure.
The Jets’ receiving situation has been well-discussed with the quarterback situation still not resolved. They haven’t had a 1,000-receiver since Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker each reached the plateau in 2015. The team has high hopes for second-round choice Denzel Mims, while Berrios is also under contract with Lawrence Cager.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMagsÂ