Geno Smith’s return to New York gives the Raiders another familiar name to circle in Week 8, and not everyone around the Jets is ready to write him off.
Las Vegas fans know exactly what Smith did during his one season with the Raiders, and they also know the compensation that came back the other way: the No. 1 overall pick, which turned into Fernando Mendoza, plus a late-round pick swap. That’s been enough for plenty of Silver and Black supporters to close that chapter and move on.
But the Jets are giving Smith another shot, and Charlie Baduini of The Jet Press says the mood around him in New York is more measured than dismissive.
“I think the fanbase is cautiously optimistic about Geno's return to New York. He wasn't great last year, obviously, but with an improved supporting cast, he could absolutely be better in 2026.
At the same time, I don't think anyone would be shocked if he continued his downward trend. After all, a good majority of fans would rather tank for a quarterback.”
That uncertainty hangs over the entire matchup. Baduini said the Jets’ offseason additions could help Smith, but there’s still plenty of skepticism if the results don’t come quickly.
New York also brought in former Raiders guard Dylan Parham, and Baduini said the early word has been quiet, which is usually a good sign for an offensive lineman. He added that Parham doesn’t need to be a star for the unit to hold up.
“When it comes to offensive linemen, no news is typically good news, and it's been pretty quiet on the Parham front this summer. He's not a world-beater or anything, and the Jets don't need him to be. But as long as he lives up to his billing as a starting-caliber guard, New York's offensive line should be in the top half of the league.”
The bigger question for the Jets might be who is still running the show by the time Las Vegas arrives in Week 8. Baduini said Aaron Glenn could be out if New York starts 0-7, which would mirror the Jets’ 2025 start, and he pointed to offensive coordinator Frank Reich as the most logical interim replacement.
“If the Jets start the season 0-7, as they did in 2025, there's a real good chance Glenn is gone before that Week 8 matchup against the Raiders. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich makes the most sense as the interim head coach, given his past experience.”
On the field, Baduini highlighted David Bailey as the Jets’ most impactful offseason addition, saying New York needed help getting after the quarterback.
“I think the most impactful move the Jets made this offseason was the addition of David Bailey. New York had no pass rush presence in 2025, and Bailey was projected to be the most pro-ready prospect of any player in April's draft. I would hope that he can come in right away and put pressure on opposing quarterbacks in a way that we didn't see last year.”
Still, if the Raiders are looking for an opening, the secondary is where Baduini sees it. He called that group “suspect” and said Nahshon Wright, despite being one of the league’s best ball-hawking cornerbacks in 2025, also gives up a lot of yards in coverage. That, he said, could leave room for whoever is under center for Las Vegas to produce.
At the same time, Baduini doesn’t see the Jets’ offense as a unit to overlook. He called it “a touch underrated,” noting that the line, running backs, receivers and tight ends are all young and talented. If Smith can simply steer the ship, Baduini believes the skill talent can carry a lot of the load.
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