NEW YORK — Hard-hitting safety Eric Smith has signed his one-year tender offer with the New York Jets.

The deal Thursday, worth $1.176 million, keeps Smith in the competition with the recently signed Brodney Pool and James Ihedigbo to replace Kerry Rhodes opposite Jim Leonhard in the Jets’ secondary. Rhodes was traded to Arizona on March 6 for two draft picks.
Smith, 27, started last season when Rhodes was demoted by coach Rex Ryan for a few games. He finished with 48 tackles and an interception, and has four career picks.
Smith was a third-round draft pick out of Michigan State in 2006, and has been a key backup as well as one of the Jets’ top special teamers.