Mason Taylor and Geno Smith may have immediate chemistry this season and that won't be by accident.
The two spent hours working out together in the offseason in South Florida. They would meet around noon three or four days a week and spend 60-90 minutes on a scorching hot turf field getting to know each other.
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"We put a lot of work in the offseason, he was always willing to get out there, it was super hot, but he didn't mind it," Smith said. "South Florida kid, seemed to be that way. But he's a guy who I think is going to be a great player in this league for a long time."
Taylor said it was beneficial for him to get "on the same page" with Smith and get to know what he likes from his tight ends. This is a huge season for the 22-year-old from LSU. Taylor was a second-round pick by the Jets last year, but his rookie season was hindered by a dismal offense with awful quarterback play.
How bad was it?
In what could be a trivia question someday, Taylor's only touchdown catch as a rookie was thrown by running back Breece Hall.
Jets tight end Mason Taylor speaks to the media before practice on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in Florham Park, NJ. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
There are bigger expectations for Taylor this season with Smith at quarterback and Frank Reich at offensive coordinator. The team drafted tight end Kenyon Sadiq in the first round this year, which raised questions about Taylor's role, but he has been everywhere this summer. While Sadiq has missed almost the entire training camp with a setback from hernia surgery, Taylor has been making highlight-reel catches.
"I thought he did a really good job, and I think you guys saw some of the plays he made out there," Jets coach Aaron Glenn said. "I would say in general, one of the things that he really improved on that we talked about in the exit meetings is his ability to catch and be able to get yards after the catch. I thought he did a really good job with that. He made some unbelievable catches in this camp. A thing about Mason is that he's still growing. He's still starting to understand exactly what his body can do and how can he go out there and make himself successful in certain situations. I'm excited about that player. I loved the way he attacked this training camp, not just from a pass receiving aspect, but also from a blocking aspect."
Taylor said his confidence has grown in his second year.
"I think a lot of things were fast for me last year," Taylor said. "I think this year everything's kind of slowed down. I've been able to dial down on what I need to work on and what I need to get better at and how I can win these blocks each and every play and be more consistent in it. It's confidence and it's getting reps every single day against our defense and in the joint practices and the preseason has been great for me. I'll just continue to build off that."
Taylor grew up in South Florida, where his father Jason was a Hall of Fame defensive end for the Dolphins. He is 13 years younger than Smith, so he never saw Smith when he was a high school star in the area, but the two took advantage of their proximity this offseason.
Jets tight end Mason Taylor (85) practices in Florham Park, NJ, on Monday, August 31, 2026. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
"I always liked Mason," Smith said. "I watch a ton of college football, so I knew who he was, he made a lot of plays at LSU and also know about his dad and all that. But, he's a guy, to me, who's that safety net, he's always in the right spot, he's got great hands, he runs great routes. He's a big, physical guy, he can block well. And you know, it's only his second year, so he's going to continue to get better."
Taylor is part of a tight end room with versatility . Between Taylor, Sadiq, Jeremy Ruckert and Jelani Woods, the Jets tight ends could have a big impact on the offense this year.
"It's just endless options," Taylor said. "We all have a role. We all know our role. Coach Reich is going to do his job to put us in areas to improve and win us games. I'm really excited to see how we fit our role each and every week. It's going to be exciting. A bunch of playmakers in that room, in the run game, in the pass, and it's going to be a problem for defenses."
