The New York Jets made some roster moves on Thursday, opening up three spots on their 90-man roster—but only saying goodbye to two players. Here's how that works and what it means for the team's depth.

Defensive lineman Paschal Ekeji has been designated as an international player, which is a key distinction: he won't count against the 90-man limit. Even better for Ekeji, if he lands on the practice squad this fall, he'll have a roster exemption, giving the Jets some flexibility to develop his raw talent. Ekeji's path to the NFL is unique—he was born in Lesotho and played rugby in South Africa before switching to football. It's a classic story of athleticism finding a new home on the gridiron.

As for the two players who were waived, the Jets parted ways with offensive lineman Gus Hartwig and safety Chris Smith. Hartwig spent the entire 2025 season on injured reserve, so his release opens up a spot for fresh competition along the line. Smith, meanwhile, had stints with the Raiders and Rams before joining the Jets last December, but he'll now look for his next opportunity elsewhere.

For Jets fans, these moves signal a continued focus on roster optimization—and with Ekeji's international designation, the team is keeping an eye on long-term development while trimming the fat for training camp battles ahead.