The second-year head coach came out and made sure there would be no questions about the quarterback position heading into the 2026-27 season.
The New York Jets are one of the teams many would point to this offseason that have improved the most over last season's results. Now, that's not the highest bar to achieve for New York, as really any semblance of competence would raise the bar.
They revamped the defense with legitimate veteran NFL starters, and they've specifically put an emphasis on the secondary, so the issue of not recording a single interception all season should be fixed.
The other massive issue last year was quarterback play. The Jets took a chance on Justin Fields, and it did not pan out as he only threw for 1,259 yards in 9 games, and Garrett Wilson only secured 395 receiving yards.
The Jets, not for the long-term, but at least for now, filled that hole with ex-Jet Geno Smith. Smith's last year in Vegas was certainly not the best we've seen from him, and that's led to questions about what exactly the Jets' plan is with the 35-year-old veteran.
Today on the NFL Network, head coach Aaron Glenn made it abundantly clear what their vision is for Smith this upcoming season.
Aaron Glenn says Geno Smith is a "Bona Fide Starter"
Dec 28, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) looks to throw in the third quarter against the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesAaron Glenn sat down with Judy Battista on the NFL Network this morning for an interview, and the topic of the Jets' newest quarterback came to the forefront.
Battista asked what it meant to have Geno Smith back in the building, and Glenn responded, "It means to have a bona fide starter come in and lead this offense where it needs to go."
Glenn then went on to reference Geno's time spent in Seattle, where he had a career-reviving stretch from 2022 to 2024. He recorded 4,282 yards, 3,624 yards, and 4,320 yards passing over that stretch, led the Seahawks to 3 straight winning seasons, and was the 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
As previously mentioned, his last season in Vegas was not great, but Glenn thinks they can unlock the version we all saw in Seattle.
After raving about Geno, Battista asked Glenn, "So just to be clear, Geno Smith is the starting quarterback?" Glenn replied, "No doubt about it. He's our guy."
This is clearly what should be said from a head coach to instill confidence, but could this mean more come draft day? Many have lately pegged the Jets to possibly select Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, but would they use such a high pick on someone it sounds like they consider a project?
Regardless, it sounds like Glenn is happy to finally have competency under center, even if we haven't seen it in a couple of seasons.
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