“I want him to feel the starting vibes to go out and play,” HC Aaron Glenn told CBS-TV before the game. “I want to see improvement and move the ball.”
Smith was held out of last week’s preseason opener against Tampa Bay because of a sore ankle.
He gave way to rookie fourth-round draft pick Cade Klubnik on the Jets’ second series of the game. In his short work in the game, Smith was perfect, completing 7-of-7 passes for 65 yards, the TD and a 144.9 QB rating.
Smith, who was drafted out of West Virginia in the second round in 2013.
Smith’s 30th and most recent start as a Jets QB came Oct. 23, 2016, Week 7, against Baltimore at MetLife Stadium. He played 4 series and 24 plays before having his season come to an end with a torn ACL.
His first game appearance of any kind as a Jets QB was in relief of Mark Sanchez at Detroit on Aug. 9, 2013 in the 2013 preseason opener — more than 13 years ago.