After an abysmal 2025 season for the New York Jets, the struggling franchise now has a perfect opportunity to revamp the entire roster this offseason between the free agency period and the 2026 NFL Draft.

One of the primary issues that will need to be addressed is the quarterback position, as the signing of Justin Fields did not go as planned in 2025. Fortunately for general manager Darren Mougey, New York could find the answer this offseason.

According to The Athletic’s Zac Rosenblatt, the Jets could be frontrunners to land the organization’s former 2013 second-round pick, Geno Smith.

“This would be a fun reunion — and the possibility becomes real if (or when0 the Raiders wind up releasing him, as he carries a $26.5 million salary,” Rosenblatt wrote. “Because of offset language, whatever he signs for with his next team would be subtracted from what the Raiders owe him — so he’ll almost certainly sign for a minimum salary.”

Smith, who spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Jets, was unable to live up to the high expectations set upon him. In his 33 games played in New York, the former West Virginia standout quarterback threw for nearly 6,000 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions, leading the team to move on from him after the 2016 season.

Luckily for Smith, he would finally get the chance to revitalize his career with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021 when the franchise traded star quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. The longtime journeyman would be the team’s starting quarterback for three seasons, throwing for 12,226 yards and 71 touchdowns before being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025.

With Smith joining his former head coach in Pete Carroll, many believed that he would be able to continue his dominant stretch into this past season. However, this was not the case, as Smith would go on to throw for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. Now, the Raiders are projected to select Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza in the 2026 NFL Draft, which means Smith could be a viable option for the Jets next season.

If New York decides to trade for Smith, this would add a veteran to the franchise’s poor quarterback room. Depending on if the Jets target a quarterback in the later rounds of the upcoming draft, Smith could be the perfect bridge for the organization in 2026.

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