The New York Jets seem to have found their quarterback for the 2026 season, and it is a familiar face: Geno Smith.
Gang Green acquired Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a late-round pick swap in this year’s NFL draft, and it is widely expected that he will serve as the team’s QB1 this upcoming season.
Speaking with NFL reporter Josina Anderson on “The Exhibit,” the quarterback expressed his excitement ot return to the Big Apple.
“I’m so excited. It’s a full circle moment for me,” said Smith. “I can remember my last TD was to Quincy Enunwa right there at MetLife Stadium, the day I tore my ACL. That began my journey, and it all led me back here, where I started. Coach [Aaron] Glenn and I have been on the phone, and he has a real plan. I believe in what they’re doing over there. Just to be a part of that is going to be special.”
The West Virginia product was selected by New York in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft, and he struggled throughout his first two years with the Jets.
Following his early career struggles, Smith bounced around the league as a backup for a few seasons, spending time with the New York Giants (2017) and the Los Angeles Chargers (2018).
However, he revived his career in Seattle after succeeding Russell Wilson as the Seahawks’ starter in 2022. He spent three seasons in that role and made two Pro Bowls (2022 and 2023), while being named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2022.
After being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders ahead of the 2025 season, everything came crashing down for the 35-year-old this past season.
He led the Raiders to a 2-15 record, the league’s worst, while leading the NFL in interceptions (17) despite the league’s highest wide-open throw rate per Next Gen Stats (27.2%).
Now, he has an opportunity to bounce back and rewrite his story in the city where he kicked off his professional career.