The New York Jets' QB situation heading into next season isn't good.
NFL analyst Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report believes the New York Jets have the worst quarterback situation heading into next season.
The Jets acquired Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. Smith will start for New York in 2026, while Brady Cook is the No. 2 QB and Bailey Zappe is the No. 3 QB.
"Even if Smith surprises, they know they need another long-term option," Gagnon wrote. "Just like Arizona, they're left contemplating whether to take Simpson or a middle/late-round quarterback, versus waiting for next year. That's not fun."
The Jets have the second pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. If they don't take a QB with the second pick, they will likely use the 16th pick on a signal caller.
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.
But because Smith's lone season with the Raiders was a disaster, many people believe the Jets traded for a "washed" QB.
New York head coach Aaron Glenn, though, believes Smith is going to shine with Gang Green.
"I think he's going to create some damage because of the arm talent," Glenn said. "And, man, he's grown so much as far as his smarts, as far as IDs, as far as protection and things like that."
Smith led the league in interceptions last season with 17 and went just 2-13. The Raiders parted ways with him after just one season.
In his first stint with the Jets, Smith went 12-18 as a starter. He threw for 5,962 yards, 28 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. It wasn't pretty.
However, Smith is older and wiser now and believes he's going to prove his critics in New York wrong.
Smith enters next season with 22,168 passing yards, 124 passing touchdowns and 89 career interceptions in the NFL. His starting record is 42-56-0.
"I just felt like I was back where I belonged, man. It felt special," Smith said. "When I was drafted there, my goal was to play my entire career for the Jets and one day retire as a Jet. And although it didn't go exactly as planned, somehow, some way we got back here and I'm eager to make things right if I can."
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