Jets Rookie Arian Smith a Healthy Scratch in Week 13, Raising Eyebrows as Developmental Window Narrows
The New York Jets’ season has long shifted from playoff hopes to player development, and that’s what makes Arian Smith’s absence in Week 13 all the more puzzling.
Smith, a fourth-round rookie wide receiver out of Georgia, was a healthy scratch for Sunday’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons - a surprising move considering his profile and where the Jets are in their season. Head coach Aaron Glenn didn’t offer much clarity when asked about the decision, keeping things close to the vest.
“That’s something that me and him will keep between us, just like I always do when things like that happen,” Glenn told reporters Monday.
That kind of response tends to raise eyebrows, especially when a young player with untapped potential is suddenly sidelined without an injury designation. While Glenn didn’t confirm anything outright, his tone hinted that this may have been a disciplinary move rather than a football one.
From a development standpoint, this is the kind of moment that stands out. The Jets are 3-9, and with the playoffs off the table, December is prime time for evaluating young talent. These are the weeks where a player like Smith - raw, explosive, and still learning the pro game - should be getting valuable reps, both to grow and to give the front office a clearer picture heading into next season.
Smith’s rookie campaign has been quiet. Through 11 games, he’s caught six of his 10 targets for 47 yards and added 11 yards on three rushing attempts. He’s also seen action on special teams, logging 34 total snaps - 24 of those as a gunner - and returning two kicks for 49 yards, averaging 24.5 yards per return.
In short, he’s been involved, but not featured. And while no one expected him to come in and light up the stat sheet, the hope was that his elite speed and big-play potential could be developed into something more. That’s what makes this healthy scratch sting a little more - it’s not just a missed game, it’s a missed opportunity.
There’s also the draft-day context to consider. Smith was viewed by many as a reach when general manager Darren Mougey selected him in the fourth round.
His college tape showed flashes, but he was more of a track star than a polished receiver. The Jets bet on upside, and so far, that bet hasn’t paid off.
Still, it’s early. Rookies develop at different speeds, and Smith’s skill set - particularly his speed - is the kind that can’t be taught.
But for that potential to turn into production, he needs reps. He needs to be on the field, learning, failing, adjusting, and growing.
Instead, he was in street clothes on Sunday.
The Jets still have time to see what they’ve got in Smith, but the clock is ticking. Every game he doesn’t play is a game of lost reps, lost rhythm, and lost evaluation. If this was indeed a disciplinary benching, the hope is that it’s a one-time thing - a message sent and received.
Because for a team looking ahead to 2026, the development of young players like Smith isn’t just a side story. It’s the whole point.