The New York Jets entered the offseason with an urgent need to revamp their tight end group. On Thursday, they took the first step in what is expected to be a series of moves at the position.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Jets have reached an agreement on a one-year contract with former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Stone Smartt. The restricted free agent was not tendered by the Chargers this offseason, a decision that disappointed many of their fans.

Smartt finished strong for the Chargers last season, recording 16 receptions for 208 yards. Notably, 14 of those 16 catches came during a five-week stretch between Week 13 and Week 17.

Before free agency, the only tight ends on the Jets’ roster were Jeremy Ruckert, Zack Kuntz, and Neal Johnson, with Kuntz and Johnson being practice squad players signed to futures contracts in January. The Jets needed reinforcements at tight end, and Smartt helps fill that gap.

Stone Smartt offers the Jets a young tight end with solid receiving potential. His path to the NFL has been unconventional, as the Sacramento, CA native initially committed to FCS Northern Arizona as a quarterback but played just two games before transferring to Riverside City College for a year.

At Riverside City, Smartt excelled, earning NJCAA first-team All-American honors in 2018 with a 31-touch down, three-interception season. He later transferred to Old Dominion but struggled at the FBS level.

After a difficult first year as a quarterback at Old Dominion, Smartt switched to wide receiver for his senior season in 2021, finishing with 17 catches for 167 yards in eight games.

Undrafted in 2022, Smartt signed with the Chargers and posted 31 receptions for 380 yards and a touchdown over three seasons. He showcased his receiving ability when given opportunities, leaving many Chargers fans wishing their team had utilized him more.

At 6-foot-4 and 226 pounds, Smartt lacks strong blocking skills and has only played tight end for three years. However, he has made the most of his chances as a receiver, catching 16 of 19 targets in 2024 for an impressive 84.2% catch rate, including a 75% contested-catch rate.

The Jets appear to value Smartt’s receiving skills, and at just 26 years old, he still has room to grow—especially considering his limited experience at the position. This move seems like a smart investment

in his potential.