New York Jets QB Geno Smith played very well in his 2026 preseason debut.
New York Jets QB Geno Smith made his 2026 preseason debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the veteran played very, very well.
Smith went 7/7 through the air for 65 passing yards and one passing touchdown.
NFL analyst Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report was impressed, so much so that he believes fans "shouldn't be shocked if he (Smith) makes the offense a lot of fun in 2026."
"Smith was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Seattle Seahawks, and he's a great fit for Frank Reich's offense," Knox wrote. "Had he not spent last season on the sinking ship that was the Pete Carroll-led Las Vegas Raiders, Smith would probably be carrying much higher expectations in New York.
"While Smith isn't going to be an MVP candidate or lead the Jets to the Super Bowl, he should perform well with a supporting cast now headlined by Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Kenyon Sadiq, and Omar Cooper Jr."
Smith is looking to turn back the clock in his second stint with the Jets after leading the NFL in interceptions last season with the Raiders. Smith's best seasons in the NFL came with the 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.
A West Virginia product, 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.
It will be fascinating to see how Smith plays this season. This is likely his last chance to be an NFL starter. If the veteran struggles during the regular season, the Jets will likely bench him for rookie Cade Klubnik.
After the Jets acquired Smith from the Raiders, Wilson called Seahawks superstar Jaxon Smith-Njigba to get some insight. Smith and Smith-Njigba were teammates in Seattle and Wilson and Smith-Njigba are close friends.
Smith and Co. begin the 2026 season against the Tennessee Titans on the road.
The Jets' home opener is in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers. New York went just 3-14 last season in Year 1 of the Aaron Glenn era.
