Geno Smith has rare chance to rewrite his volatile Jets history after drama-filled first stint
NASHVILLE, Tenn — Geno Smith has authored a number of chapters in his NFL career, which began with the Jets in 2013 when they drafted him in the second round with hopes he’d become their franchise quarterback for years to come.Act I Geno didn’t end well.The Jets and their expectant fan base hope Act II, which begins Sunday against the Titans in the 2026 season opener, has a much better ending than the first one Smith lived with the organization.As for Smith, he hopes this chapter turns out to be much less volatile than some of the ones he’s authored in his star-crossed, 12-season career.If he has had one superpower in his career it has been his remarkable resiliency.Players less resilient would be long out of the league by now.
Smith, however, carries on.Sunday marks his beginning as a starter for a fourth team, second time with the Jets.Many quarterbacks don’t get a second chance after it fails to work out.
Few get a third chance.Smith is on his fourth stint as a starter.He was the starter his first two seasons with the Jets, but after Year 4 he was let go.
He bounced around as a backup for several years — with the Giants, Chargers and Seahawks.Finally, in 2022, he earned a starting gig again in his third season in Seattle.
That role last three seasons before he was traded to the Raiders in 2025, which turned into a 2-13 nightmare season for him.Now he is back with the Jets, and fourth turn as a starter.What lies ahead for Smith in this latest chapter of his career?Sunday he will be facing an aggressive Titans defense under head coach Robert Saleh, who preceded current Jets head coach Aaron Glenn.Frank Reich, the Jets offensive coordinator and a former long-time NFL quarterback, has big plans for Smith.
Reich said “resilient” is the “right word” to describe Smith.“Mentally resilient,” Reich said this week.“He never lets his guard down, at least not that I ever see.
He comes to work to get better.He’s all ball, all the time.
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