The New York Jets lost their first preseason game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; their defense didn't play well, the rookies struggled a bit, and Geno Smith was out with an injury.
It was a very underwhelming game for the Jets in a 24-16 loss. But in Week 2 of the preseason, they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-0. It was a huge win, as the Jets saw two very key parts of the team play well.
As Garrett Podell of CBS Sports highlighted, Geno Smith and the Jets' defense were both winners from this second preseason game. These are much-needed labels for the Jets, as they're the two main question marks about this team heading into 2026.
"He kicked off his second stint with the Jets with a perfect drive while leading the Jets' starting lineup on the opening possession against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday before head coach Aaron Glenn decided he'd seen enough from the 35-year-old veteran quarterback to end his night," Podell writes.
Smith finished his Jets return debut going 7-for-7 for 65 yards passing with a touchdown, no interceptions, and no sacks taken.
It was a great debut for Smith in the Jets offense, as he was able to shed the bad vibes from the Las Vegas Raiders from a year ago. While only the preseason, this performance is a huge confidence-boosting one for the Jets and Smith heading into 2026.
But Smith wasn't the only winner for the Jets on Friday night. Podell highlighted how the defense was a winner, thanks to the long drought that finally came to an end.
"The 2025 New York Jets became the first team in NFL history to finish a season with zero interceptions in a regular season," Podell writes. "That dry spell unofficially ended in Week 2 of the preseason."
Thanks to an Andre Cisco interception and then a Samuel Womack III pick a little later, this time in the red zone, the Jets were able to secure their first interceptions since before the 2025 season.
Of course, these don't actually count as snapping the infamous 17-game streak without a pick last season, but it's a good sign that the Jets were able to secure two picks in one game as they try to snap this brutal streak.
Aaron Glenn really needs his defense to secure an interception this season, and a strong defensive showing against the Steelers, with two interceptions, four sacks, and one forced fumble while pitching a shutout, is a huge showing.
It was mainly against backups, but if nothing else, this is a sign that the players are talented enough to keep a Steelers team, which scored 28 points in their first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, from a big offensive day.
The Jets' defense and Smith are major winners from their Week 2 preseason game against the Steelers, and it's some good timing for New York. Smith quelled some of the fears, and the defense did as well. Hopefully for the Jets, this carries over to the regular season.
