TE Stone Smartt, WR Tyler Johnson and OL Josh Meyers Eager to Help Green & White

Jack Bell

There's something exciting about fresh starts and the opportunities they offer.

For Jets GM Darren Mougey and HC Aaron Glenn, their new positions open a window for them as they ascend the pro football ladder. Likewise, for a group of players the Green & White signed recently in free agency to bolster the offense, they have a different and important opportunity.

ForStone Smartt,Tyler JohnsonandJosh Myersthe goal is to put their past experiences in the NFL behind them and play an important role in helping the Jets become a winner -- now and into the future. One key is to keep the expectations reasonable as they each settle into as-yet undefined roles, roles that their play, dedication and personalities will have a big part in their careers. All three recently talked about their moves to 1 Jets Drive withnewyorkjets.comreporters Caroline Hendershot and Ethan Greenberg.

Stone Smartt: Has a QB's Brain in a TE's Body

The Jets currently hold the No. 7 overall pick in the draft and many pundits believe Penn State TE Tyler Warren would be a good match in Round 1. With Tyler Conklin (Chargers) leaving in free agency, the Jets signed Stone Smartt, 26 (coincidentally from the Chargers), and he'll join a group that includesJeremy Ruckert,Andrew Beck,Zack KuntzandNeal Johnson.

Smartt (6-4, 226) played quarterback in Del Oro HS in California and for two years in college before landing at Old Dominion in 2019 and being shifted to wide receiver in 2021.

"It really was my first year playing at tight end over there," Smartt said, referring to the Chargers. "Developed, had awesome vets in the room I could learn from. And you know that culture over there is you bring your lunch box to work, blue-collar type mentality, and really think that sustained me and fits into who I was, and that's how I try to attack each day."

After going undrafted in 2022, Smartt signed on with the Chargers and in 38 games over three seasons made 31 receptions for 380 yards and a touchdown. Over the span of four games last season, Smartt gave a hint of what he's capable of when he corralled 13 passes. The Chargers, however, opted to decline their right of first refusal for the restricted free agent.

He said the switch from QB to TE afforded him a unique perspective.

"I really think it's just a testament to my village I have surrounding me," he said. "You know, nothing is ever easy in life, and I think just that ability to take what I learned as a quarterback and to apply it to the tight end [position]. It makes that transition a lot smoother, because you got a feel of what the quarterback wants and his process on things and being able to get to those open windows for him or make a certain block. I think that's beneficial and an advantage."

Tyler Johnson: 'Looking Forward to Competing'

Tyler Johnson, 26, is a Minnesota native who stayed home to play in college for the Golden Gophers. Since then, he's played for NFL teams in warmer climes (Tampa Bay, Houston, Las Vegas and in LA for the Rams). The weather in New Jersey may not rival often frigid Minnesota, but he should feel right at home. Johnson obviously made an impression on Jets HC Aaron Glenn in the Rams' season opener at Detroit last September when he caught 5 passes for 79 yards from Matthew Stafford.

Now, with Davante Adams no longer with the team, the Jets believe Johnson (6-2, 205), who reportedly signed a one-year contract, will complement a group led by star WR Garrett Wilson.

"I'm looking forward to learning a lot from everybody that I work with," he said. "I love that he can go out there and make good plays, and just looking forward to competing, bringing the best out of one another, day in and day out."

Over his five NFL seasons, Johnson has played in 49 games (8 starts) and has 76 receptions for 828 yards (10.9 yards/catch) and 4 touchdowns.

Josh Myers: Jets Are a 'Perfect Fit'

Coming from the NFL's smallest market -- Green Bay -- to its biggest "is going to be a cool experience" for Josh Myers. After four years at the center of the Packers' offensive line, Myers, 26, signed a reported $2 million, one-year deal with the Jets and will be reunited with his Ohio State teammate and QB Justin Fields.

"Super pumped to play with him again," Myers (6-5, 310) said about Fields.

During his time in Green Bay, Myers was a fixture on the O-line. He made 50 starts in the Packers' 51 regular-season games over that span a handful of them against a Detroit defense that was overseen by his current HC, Aaron Glenn.

"I played against him when he was [the defensive coordinator] in Detroit quite a bit, and so I have a ton of respect for one, the way his defense is played, but two, just the X's and O's," Myers said. "He's clearly very smart. It was always a challenge going against that defense."

As he and his agent contemplated the next move, Myers came to a quick conclusion: "The Jets just seemed like the perfect fit."