At this point in Jaylon Smith's career, he's well aware of exactly who he is -- and also where he is.
The New Orleans culture was clear to him the moment he got off the plane at his new home.
“It’s been a blast being here in New Orleans," Smith said. "Even getting off the plane I felt the culture right away. You hear so many great things about the boot, the culture, the food, the fans. In my experience, playing against the Saints from afar, I felt it and I always had an appreciation for it."
It's a stay that's still not even a week old, going through a workout and signing ahead of his first practice on Friday at the Caesars Superdome. He was in uniform on Sunday but did not participate in the preseason opener against the Chiefs.
That's likely to change this week as the team ships out for a pair of joint practices against the L.A. Chargers before a Week 2 preseason showdown on Sunday. He was heavily involved in Tuesday's practice, and heading into his 8th season, he'll bring a dose of veteran leadership to a group that is currently finding its way without Demario Davis, who has missed the past few weeks of practices as he deals with a calf injury.
He was quick to note the mutual respect he and Davis have for each other, and his connection to Pete Werner -- whom he referred to as Petey -- as Indiana natives.
"I’m a team guy, a guy who’s had some success in this league, and I can still play the game at a high level," Smith said. "Whatever coach asks of me, that’s what I’m going to do, so I’m just happy to be here."
The ability to meld into new locker rooms is something Smith has had to take advantage of the past two seasons, spending a short stint with the Green Bay Packers before joining the Giants, where he played a significant role down the stretch of the 2022 season and led the team in tackles during it's two-game postseason run.
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His journey around the NFL was a bit of a departure from his first xxx seasons in the league, which he spent with the Dallas Cowboys after being selected in the xxx round. The fact that he landed that high in the draft at all spoke to just how elite of a prospect he was coming out of Notre Dame and suffering a major knee injury in his final college game. Before the injury he was expected to be a top 10 pick.
"With experience comes wisdom," he said. "And that’s really what I’m thankful for, all the coaches I’ve had, all the older players I’ve gotten a chance to play with, and myself being a vet now and being able to not only contribute, but to give back."
That experience was also melded with top-end production. He had to effectively redshirt his rookie season as he recovered from his injury, but since that point has yet to miss a game due to injury. He was a pro bowler in 2019 while logging 142 tackles and 2.5 sacks, 9 passes defensed and an interception. He followed that up with 152 tackles the following season.
He profiles as a players who could man the middle and potentially eat a high number of tackles if called upon, but the first stop is earning a spot on the roster among a young LB corps that includes second-year pros D'Marco Jackson and Nephi Sewell.
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As he does that, he'll get to work with a defensive-oriented head coach for the first time in his career after playing for offensive head coaches with the Cowboys, Packers and Giants.
"I actually love it. It’s a little different for me, but I love it and I see it," he said. "I see DA out here calling the plays and things like that, and it’s just a mutual respect. But coming from different systems where I’ve played with offensive-minded coaches, it’s just something that’s unique. But we’re out here trying to grow and we want to win."