New York Jets veteran Geno Smith is projected to ascend to the second tier of quarterbacks in Week 2.
The New York Jets face the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 and ESPN believes Geno Smith can ascend to the second tier of quarterbacks.
To beat the Packers, the Jets will need a vintage performance from Smith.
"Geno Smith may be called upon more often in Week 2 when the Jets face the Packers. He wasn't asked to do much last week as the club played with a rare lead for the majority of the game, relying on the run-something unlikely to repeat in Week 2. Green Bay's secondary is vulnerable, allowing three touchdowns to Carson Wentz to start the year. With more volume, Smith can ascend to the second tier of quarterbacks in Week 2," ESPN wrote.
Last week against the Tennessee Titans, Smith played well, going 19/24 through the air for 215 passing yards.
More importantly, Smith didn't have any interceptions after throwing 17 with the Las Vegas Raiders last season.
The Jets put up 367 total yards, 215 passing yards and 152 rushing yards against the Titans. They had 19 first downs and Smith was sacked zero times.
New York scored two touchdowns against Tennessee. Rookie Kenyon Sadiq had a rushing touchdown and Breece Hall had the other score.
"We came out and executed on that first drive and put 7 points on the board," Smith said after the Jets beat the Titans. "That's something that we talk about all the time. We want to start fast, and I think today we started fast, and obviously we kept our foot on the gas, and just try to stay even-keeled throughout."
"I thought the guys [up front] did a tremendous job giving me lanes to throw through. I don't think I got touched at all out there, and that's always a great sign. I thought we ran the ball well, which slowed them down, and then when we needed to pass the ball, I thought the protection was outstanding."
In Week 1 against the Titans, Smith became the fifth Jets QB since the merger to have 200+ passing yards, a 75%+ completion percentage, a 100+ passer rating and zero sacks or interceptions -- he's the first to do it on opening day.
Smith's best seasons in the NFL came with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022 and 2023. He made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023 and won the 2022 AP Comeback Player of the Year Award.
It will be fascinating to see how Smith plays the rest of the season, starting this week against the Packers.
