The New York Jets are hoping a familiar face can help jumpstart their second season under head coach Aaron Glenn after acquiring Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders. Smith returns to the franchise that drafted him more than a decade ago, though he understands not everyone is sold on the move. The veteran quarterback addressed that reality as the official new league year began.
Geno Smith Sends Message to Critics After Jets Trade
Smith spoke with reporter Josina Anderson and addressed the criticism surrounding the move.
“Not everyone is going to be a fan of this move,” Smith said. “There are going to be naysayers, as there always is, but who cares about them? I’m looking forward to building with the people who believe and those are the people I want to win for.”
The comments come as Smith prepares to return to the franchise that drafted him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Smith spent the first four seasons of his career with the Jets before his path around the league eventually brought him back to New York.
Smith’s Winding Path Back to the Jets
Smith’s NFL career has followed an unusual path since leaving New York the first time.
After bouncing around the league early in his career, he revived his reputation with the Seattle Seahawks. The turnaround reached its peak during the 2022 season. Smith completed 69.8% of his passes that year and threw for 4,282 yards with 30 touchdowns. The performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection and the AP Comeback Player of the Year award.
Seattle remained competitive the following season with Smith under center. He threw for 3,624 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2023 and helped guide the Seahawks to a 9-8 record.
A new chapter began when Seattle traded Smith to Las Vegas before the 2025 season. The move reunited him with former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. Expectations were high given their previous success together in Seattle.
The results never matched those expectations.
Smith endured a difficult year in Las Vegas. His 2025 campaign ended with a 68.6 PFSN QB Impact grade that ranked 34th among quarterbacks. Turnovers proved to be a major issue. Smith threw 17 interceptions during the season, the highest total in the NFL. The Raiders struggled as a team as well. Las Vegas finished the year with a 3-14 record, and Carroll was dismissed after the season.
The Jets are hoping a change of scenery will help Smith rediscover the form he showed in Seattle. His return to New York creates a rare full-circle moment for a quarterback whose career adds another unexpected twist.
