FOX Sports put Geno Smith of the New York Jets in the same QB tier as an NFL legend.
FOX Sports NFL analyst Steven Ruiz put Geno Smith of the New York Jets in the same QB tier as an NFL legend.
Who is the NFL legend? It's none other than former Jets QB and current Pittsburgh Steelers starter Aaron Rodgers.
Ruiz as Smith and Rodgers in the "good enough to start" tier. Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers and Tyler Shough of the New Orleans Saints are in this tier as well.
"Smith was dealt an impossible hand in Las Vegas last season," Ruiz wrote. "His offensive coordinator was calling plays that weren’t in the game plan, the unqualified offensive line coach was way over his head, and wide receiver Tre Tucker led the team in targets.
"Even considering all that, Smith didn’t play well, but there are only a handful of quarterbacks who would have in that environment. I expect the veteran to bounce back behind a solid Jets offensive line and talented skill group."
Some Jets fans aren't excited to watch Smith play this season. Smith led the NFL in interceptions last season with the Las Vegas Raiders and his first stint with the Jets was a nightmare.
However, Jets WR Garrett Wilson and new OC Frank Reich are looking forward to seeing how Smith performs in 2026.
Wilson and Reich recently praised Smith, who went 7/7 through the air for 65 passing yards and one passing touchdown against the Steelers in Week 2 of the preseason.
"He's so cerebral," Wilson said. "The first day when he had us tell the cadences he went through it and I was like 'Bro did you bring that with you from [Las Vegas] and Seattle?' He was like 'No. That's coach Reich's stuff; I just learned it last night.'"
Smith enters this season with 22,168 passing yards, 124 passing touchdowns and 89 career interceptions in the NFL. His starting record is 42-56-0.
Reich has worked with many QBs in his life, but Smith's memory might be the best.
"I swear he's got a photographic memory," Reich said. "[He] processes really fast. His arm, the way he moves, his feet in the pocket, he's physically in his prime. He takes great care of himself and that's going to help this team."
Smith did not play well in 2025 with the Raiders. He had 3,025 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns and 17 interceptions. The former Seattle Seahawks star went 2-13 as the starter.
Many NFL pundits and fans don't believe Smith can turn back the clock with the Jets.
According to Reich, the outside noise does not affect Smith.
"This man is laser focused like people don't understand," Reich said. "He comes to work and he's locked in. I feel like the whole offense plays off of that, that's a really big deal."
Smith and the Jets face the Tennessee Titans on the road to begin the 2026 season. This could be Smith's final chance to be a starting QB in the NFL.
It will be intriguing to see how he plays in Reich's system.
"It's not just me out there, it's all of us, so it doesn't just matter what I know, it's about what we know collectively," Smith said. "I think we have a room full of great minds and we're collaborating and working together."
