Aaron Glenn didn’t need a long look at Geno Smith to come away impressed.
In Smith’s summer debut on Sunday, the Jets opened their 17-0 shutout of the Pittsburgh Steelers with a drive that looked exactly the way a coach would draw it up. The series went 10 plays, covered 69 yards, and ended with a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jelani Woods. Smith was clean throughout, hitting all seven of his throws for 65 yards while moving the chains on three third downs.
That kind of start is exactly what New York wants from its quarterback, and Glenn made it clear he liked what he saw. “Very, very efficient. He looked very comfortable, did exactly what we were looking for.”
The preseason is still just a sliver of the picture, but the early signs matter for a team that has been looking for steadiness under center. Smith’s quick command of the offense stood out, especially because it came without any visible hesitation.
"Very, very efficient... he looked very comfortable, did exactly what we were looking for"
— SNY Jets (@snyjets) August 22, 2026
Aaron Glenn talks about Geno Smith's drive tonight: pic.twitter.com/AUSVFvHUKa
His path back to this point has been a winding one. Drafted 39th overall by the Jets in 2013, Smith had an uneven first run in New York before rebuilding his career as a backup with the Giants, Chargers and Seahawks. Then came the breakthrough in 2022, when he took over Seattle’s starting job, won NFL Comeback Player of the Year and earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nods.
Now he’s back in New York with far more mileage and far more polish. If Sunday was any indication, the Jets may finally have the calm, efficient presence they’ve been chasing.
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With Sauce Gardner gone, the Jets are sorting through options opposite Brandon Stephens, and Thomas is at least making himself part of that conversation. His college tape and physical tools point to a fit in New Yorks man-heavy scheme, which is exactly why this summer matters so much for him. The preseason has not settled the job, but it has shown Thomas can keep himself in the mix. [Read more 🡒]