Antwan Staley: Jets and Geno Smith need each other

Antwan Staley, New York Daily News on Mar 12, 2026

Published in Football

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NEW YORK — What’s old is new again.

Since 2013, the New YorkJets have had 13 different starting quarterbacks.

But all veteran bridge options brought them back to Geno Smith. Nearly a decade after his departure, the Jets brought Smith back on Tuesday after agreeing to a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The biggest question many are asking is why the Jets would bring back Smith after his first tenure with the team was an utter disaster.

Smith lost his starting job in 2015 after he was punched in the face following a locker-room dispute. He and linebacker IK Enemkpali got into a dispute over a reported $600. Enemkpali delivered a “sucker punch” to Smith and then-Jets coach Todd Bowles quickly cut Enemkpali.

Before that, Smith’s play was dreadful after passing for 5,962 yards, 28 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in four seasons for the Jets. Now, both sides need each other.

Smith was the best bridge option for the Jets in 2026 among the thin pool of available options. Kyler Murray obviously wants to head to Minnesota, where he would be surrounded by a talented defense and offensive playmakers. Kirk Cousins, according to sources, was never an option to come to the Jets.

Maybe the Jets could have tried to trade for a younger option in Mac Jones or Davis Mills. But the price would have been higher, especially with the lack of quality starting quarterbacks available.

Smith was expected to be released by the Raiders after the start of the new league year. However, with quarterback options dwindling, the Jets didn’t want to risk losing Smith to a team like the Vikings, who reportedly had interest. So they traded a sixth-round pick for Smith and a seventh-round pick to make sure they got the veteran quarterback they coveted.

No matter who the Jets added at quarterback, they weren’t going to be expected to be contenders. But they are banking on Smith regaining his Pro Bowl form.

Make no mistake about it, Smith was awful last year with the Raiders. He finished with 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and led the league with 17 interceptions. He also hasn’t been good the last two years after registering 32 interceptions, which is the most in the NFL during that span.

However, Smith was on a Raiders team last season that arguably had the league’s worst offensive line. He was sacked 55 times, tying for the league high. Las Vegas also fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly after 11 games.

The Jets represented the only sure bet for Smith to start next season.

The Raiders will pay a majority of Smith’s $18.5 million guarantee next season. The Jets and Smith agreed to restructure his contract, so they will take on a minimum salary to get the quarterback they wanted in 2026 in a possible make-or-break season for Aaron Glenn.

“So to come back here, to go back to New York — I got a huge chip on my shoulder, and I know that AG does as well,” Smith said to Josina Anderson on the Exhibit News Network. “I wanted to align myself with a coach who has something to prove, and I believe that’s what he is.”

Glenn certainly has a lot to prove following a disastrous 3-14 first season as the Jets’ coach. Not only did they begin last season 0-7, but the Jets’ offense was also inept no matter who was behind center.

One of the first free agent moves the Jets made last offseason was signing Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract. After he struggled with processing speed on the field and difficulty passing down the field, the Jets benched Fields after nine games. Owner Woody Johnson even lambasted Fields for his lack of accuracy.

Fields is expected to be released following the addition of Smith.

“If we can just complete a pass, it would look good,” Johnson said. “You gotta convince them that you can do something. Otherwise, it’s hard to have a game that you can win.”

Indeed. Which is why Smith has returned to where his career started. He was selected by the Jets 39th overall in the 2013 NFL draft after he plummeted to the second round.

If Smith returns to his Seattle form, where he passed for 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, he will stabilize the Jets quarterback position. Quarterback hasn’t been a model of stability for the Jets since Smith’s teammate, Ryan Fitzpatrick, was under center from 2015-16.

Smith has one job and that’s to get the Jets from Point A to Point B. At 35 years old, Smith is not their quarterback of the future. But will be counted on to get them to their future quarterback, hopefully in the 2027 draft.

Gang Green will have three first-round picks in the 2027 NFL draft, which is expected to be full of elite quarterback prospects. Glenn will be in the proverbial hot seat in 2026, and he hopes Smith can help the Jets win enough games to save both their jobs and return in 2027.

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