After retooling the coaching staff, the Jets have turned their attention towards fixing the defense. Thus far, it has been a productive start addressing all three parts of the defense. Between safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive tackle David Onyemata, and the return of 2012 second-round pick Demario Davis at linebacker, the defense got better. However, the team has a big hole on offense. Who will start at quarterback? With Justin Fields all but guaranteed to be cut, they must address it. Well, just like the Demario Davis signing, this could lead to a reunion with a former draft pick.
Drafted by the team in 2013, he played for three seasons before ultimately being released in 2017. After moving around the league in various backup roles, the time away led to some growth & development. Eventually, he found some redemption by becoming the successor to Russell Wilson in Seattle. However, after one year in Las Vegas, where he led the league in interceptions, he was released and back on the market. Now, the stars are aligning for Geno Smith to return to New Jersey as the Jets starting quarterback in 2026. The Jets will acquire Geno Smith in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders, with a late-round pick swap.
Quarterback Geno Smith Returns to the New York Jets
Trade: the Raiders are sending QB Geno Smith and a 2026 7th-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for a 2026 6th-round pick, per ESPN sources. Smith returns to the team for which he started his NFL career for in 2013. pic.twitter.com/xp7gvXxYJf
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2026
One theme from the Jets offseason thus far has been reunions. In need of a new offensive coordinator, the Jets hired 1996 backup quarterback Frank Reich to lead the offense. Head coach Aaron Glenn reunites with former players David Onyemata and Demario Davis from his days on the New Orleans Saints. Now, the Jets are turning back the clock at quarterback. For the first time since 2016, Geno Smith is returning to the New York Jets.
From 2013 second-round pick to 13 year veteran Pro Bowl quarterback
Drafted out of West Virginia in 2013, Geno Smith was the second quarterback off the board after the Bills drafted EJ Manuel out of Florida State 16th overall. After throwing 42 touchdown passes in his senior year, the Jets made Smith a top-50 draft pick, selecting him 39th overall. Despite competing with multi-year starter Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith was named the starting quarterback to open the season after Sanchez got injured. It was an eventful rookie season with Smith throwing 21 interceptions to only 12 touchdowns. However, Geno also threw for over 3,000 yards and contributed six rushing touchdowns as the Jets finished the year 8-8. His second season didn’t fare much better. Despite cutting down on interceptions, the Jets offense struggled as they finished 3-10 in the 13 games Smith started. Eventually, Smith was benched in favor of former number one overall pick Michael Vick.
The following year, a preseason incident leading to a broken jaw shut Geno Smith’s season down in 2015. Instead, the Jets were led by journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who threw a team record 31 touchdown passes and a 10-7 record. Entering 2016, Smith would back up Fitzpatrick again. However, tragedy struck when Geno tore his ACL in week six against the Cardinals. Alas, that was the last snap Geno Smith played for the Jets.
Time As a Backup Led to Revival in Seattle
In 2017, Geno decided to stay local and signed with the New York Giants. Despite backing up Giants legend Eli Manning, Smith did make history with the G-Men. On November 28th, Smith started for Eli Manning against the Raiders. By starting, Smith became the first black quarterback to start in the team’s entire 93-year history. The next year, Smith would head to Los Angeles and back up Philip Rivers on the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018.
In 2019, Smith ventured north to Seattle as the backup quarterback behind Super Bowl Champion Russell Wilson. His first two seasons were uneventful with limited playing time. However, that changed in 2021, when a finger injury to Wilson led to Smith becoming the starter for three games. Despite going 1-2, Smith looked like a different quarterback. With quicker throwing mechanics and showing confidence, Smith showed promise, completing 68% of his passes for 702 yards, along with five touchdowns to a single interception. After such a start, the Seahawks showed confidence in Geno to be a starter. As a result, the Seahawks traded away Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.
Between 2022 and 2024, Smith started 49 games with the Seahawks, finishing with a record of 27-22. He would complete over 65% of his passes for over 12,000 yards, along with 71 touchdown passes to only 35 picks. In his first full season as a starter in eight years, Smith threw for 30 touchdowns and led the league in completion percentage. Despite leading Seattle to a wildcard loss vs. NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers, Smith won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Swinging and Missing in Las Vegas
Despite Geno’s best efforts and leading the Seahawks to a 10-7 record, a second season with double-digit interceptions had head coach Mike Macdonald looking to make a change at quarterback. As a result, Smith was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for the 92nd overall pick. Now reunited with former head coach Pete Carroll, the Raiders also signed Smith to a two-year, $75 million contract extension. However, Smith quickly realized the grass wasn’t greener on the otherside. Or not as green as his jersey after getting sacked for a career high 55 times.
The Raiders offensive line struggles led to regression from Smith. While completing 67% of his passes for over 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns, Smith led the league in both sacks and interceptions, with 17 picks. When considering the Raiders struggles on defense as well, Las Vegas finished 2025 with a 3-14 record. As a result, the Raiders secured the first overall pick, and all signs point to Heisman & National Champion winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana becoming the first pick.
Before the trade was agreed to, Geno Smith agreed to restructure his contract. The Raiders still will pay the bulk of it, and the Jets will take on Smith’s contract at just over veteran minimum. https://t.co/uRTjgzwj4B
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2026
Geno’s Return to New York & His Fit with the 2026 Jets
With Mendoza heading to Las Vegas in April, the Raiders knew Geno wasn’t staying long. In need of a quarterback, the Jets opted to part with a 2026 sixth-round pick to acquire Smith and a 2026th seventh round pick. In addition, the Raiders will continue to pay a large portion of Smith’s deal, allowing the Jets to gain the veteran quarterback on the veteran minimum.
Despite leading the league in interceptions, Geno can be a decent bridge quarterback for New York. Returning to the franchise it all started with, Smith has the chance to tread water behind a much better offensive line than what he had in Las Vegas. In addition, veteran offensive coordinator Frank Reich should be more helpful than Chip Kelly was last year. In addition, with no more guaranteed money after this year, New York can easily move on from Smith in 2027 if it doesn’t work out. It’s not a big-time move. However, Smith will provide stability on offense to the team that took a chance on him in 2013.
Main Photo: [Kirby Lee] – Imagn Images
