The Jets have their newest starting quarterback in tow, and it is a very familiar face: Geno Smith.
Imagine telling a Jets fan in September their team would reunite with one of its former quarterbacks. I can almost guarantee nobody would have guessed Geno Smith. But here we are.
The Jets reacquired Smith via trade with the Las Vegas Raiders, sending over a sixth rounder for the quarterback, who was going to be released anyway on Wednesday.
Why didn't the Jets wait? Well, there was a sense that Smith could have other bidders for his services, perhaps, and ironically enough the Minnesota Vikings, who are also looking for a veteran journeyman quarterback to take the reins.
The Raiders will take on the majority of Smith's remaining contract by taking on $18.5 million in dead cap. The Jets will only need to pay Smith the veteran's minimum of $1.3 million.
It is expected that Smith will be the Jets starter heading into the season, but of course that could all change. New York is expected to sign another veteran quarterback, perhaps Carson Wentz as soon as Wednesday. If they do that, it should be interesting to see how this battle shakes out between both journeymen quarterbacks.
Wentz is the preferred player for offensive coordinator Frank Reich. Smith is most familiar with the market, and is coming off three solid season's in Seattle from 2022 to 2024 before falling flat on his face in Las Vegas last season.
Smith started 33 games for the Jets between 2013 and 2016. He was drafted 39th overall in 2013 out of West Virginia, a very unpopular pick at the time considering he was John Idzik's guy, while incumbent Head Coach Rex Ryan and incumbent quarterback Mark Sanchez were still in the building.
Sanchez got hurt in a preseason game against the Giants that year and was lost for the year. Remember the infamous Rex Ryan press conference where he turned his back to reporters? As a result Geno Smith started the season and put forward uneven results. The Jets went 8-8, but there was no confidence going both ways.
By 2015 Smith was relegated to back-up to veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick.
To his credit, after bouncing around the league, Smith matured and turned around his career under Pete Carroll up in Seattle. He was a legit MVP candidate in 2022 when he threw for 30 touchdowns.
Geno Smith always had the talent, but consistency has always been an issue. Perhaps he can rewrite his story in New York once and for all.

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