Jets Fans Call for Arian Smith's Release After Missed Tackle vs. Packers

A blown punt coverage tackle by the second-year wide receiver helped Green Bay force overtime in Week 2, sparking calls for New York to cut him.

New York's Week 2 home loss to Green Bay at MetLife Stadium on September 20, 2026 went to overtime, and one fourth-quarter special teams play drew heavy criticism afterward. With the Jets ahead 17-14 and fewer than five minutes on the clock, punter Austin McNamara's kick was fielded by Skyy Moore at the Green Bay 18. Wide receiver Arian Smith missed the tackle in a one-on-one situation, and Moore raced 63 yards to the Jets' 19.

The Packers gained nothing on the ensuing possession and went three-and-out, but the field position set up a 34-yard game-tying field goal. The miss prompted immediate reaction on social media urging the Jets to part ways with Smith.

Jets analyst Joe Caporoso wrote on X that the missed tackle cost the team three points and that Smith contributes nothing on offense or special teams. Another analyst, JetsCap, argued the club should absorb the $372,080 dead money charge and release him. Dylan Tereman added that a practice-squad player could have made the play and that Smith had not justified a roster spot through two games.

The organization faces complicating factors, however. Smith was selected 110th overall in the fourth round of the 2025 draft, and cutting a recent pick amounts to publicly conceding a mistake.

Injuries have also thinned the receiving corps. Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle) and Tim Patrick (groin) both went on injured reserve over the past two weeks, with Patrick sidelined at least two more games and Cooper at least three. New York dressed only four receivers in Week 2 — Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Isaiah Williams and Smith — and Smith left that game hurt, with head coach Aaron Glenn offering no injury update afterward.