Geno Smith has been placed in an interesting tier of quarterbacks in a new ranking entering the season.
The New York Jets will have a familiar face under center this season following a trade for veteran quarterback Geno Smith this offseason.
Smith returns to the team that drafted him years ago, giving him a second chance to fix his legacy with the franchise. New York isn't expected to compete for the playoffs, with 2026 being a rebuilding year.
The Jets haven't made the playoffs since the 2010 season, and this drought isn't likely to change anytime soon. But the team will try its best to win as many games as possible.
Smith can bring some credibility to the Jets quarterback room, making the offense more fun this season. The veteran has shown flashes of excellence in his NFL career, and New York is banking on him putting it together again this season.
Ahead of the new season, analyst Nick Shook of NFL. com ranked each starting quarterback around the league. Within the ranking, Smith came in a shocking place.
Smith was ranked as the No. 21 quarterback, coming in the third tier of starters. Next to him were Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans, and a few others.
But Smith landing in this tier is interesting, especially considering the year he put together with the Las Vegas Raiders. Smith threw for 3,025 yards with 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
Smith was very turnover-happy a year ago, and this ended up hurting the Raiders' offense each game. But if he can limit the turnovers this season, the Jets offense could be a tough matchup for any defense in the NFL to deal with.
New York has multiple quality playmakers at its disposal, offering Smith a chance to really perform at a high level. Having wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall could help Smith get back to a level of performance that he has been used to in previous seasons.
Before going to the Raiders, Smith played very well for the Seattle Seahawks, making two Pro Bowls. If Smith can get back to this level, the Jets could end up being a potential surprise team this season.
New York will open the 2026 season against the Tennessee Titans on the road this coming weekend. If the Jets can grab a win in this game, it could help spark some momentum for the rest of the year.
