Geno Smith's unexpected return to the Jets is a story straight out of a football fairy tale. Nearly a decade after leaving New York, Smith is back at the helm of the Jets' offense, thanks to a trade with Las Vegas.
At 35, Smith is not the same player who was drafted in the second round back in 2013. He's matured, both on and off the field, and he's ready to write a new chapter with the team that first believed in him.
"When I was drafted here, I wanted to spend my entire career with the Jets," Smith shared during a Thursday Zoom call. "To be back with the organization that gave me my start is truly special. Things didn’t go as planned before, but now I have the chance to make things right."
The Jets acquired Smith by sending a sixth-round pick to the Raiders, along with a seventh-rounder. Smith restructured his deal, making it a manageable $3.3 million for the Jets this season. Returning to the Jets' facility brought a wave of nostalgia for Smith.
"It felt like coming home," he said. "It was something special."
Smith's first stint with the Jets was a rollercoaster. In four seasons, he started 30 games, leading the team to a 12-18 record while throwing 28 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.
Since then, his journey has taken him to the Giants, Chargers, Seahawks, and Raiders. His time in Seattle was a highlight, earning Pro Bowl nods in 2022 and 2023, though last year in Las Vegas was tough, with 19 touchdowns against 17 interceptions.
Smith is confident he's a better player now, ready to surpass his Seattle performances, where he threw for over 3,600 yards multiple times.
"I'm confident, not arrogant," Smith stated. "The Jets are getting a more refined player than I was in Seattle. I’m eager to prove that on the field."
The Jets’ offense struggled last season, and Smith is stepping in to change that narrative. His former teammate, linebacker Demario Davis, who also rejoined the Jets, is excited to see Smith tackle this challenge.
"I've watched his journey and growth," Davis said. "His resilience speaks volumes about his character. There's no one who will work harder for this team than Geno."
Smith aims to reconnect with Jets fans and deliver what he couldn't in his first go-around.
"We want to give our fans something to cheer about," Smith said. "We aim to be competitive, win games, and ultimately contend for the Lombardi Trophy. Our fans deserve that, and I want to be the one to deliver."
In other news, Wink Martindale shared insights on his near-hire as the Jets' defensive coordinator, mentioning it was out of Aaron Glenn's hands, despite reports suggesting owner Woody Johnson's involvement. Glenn, however, hired Brian Duker as the defensive coordinator.
As the Jets gear up for the season, all eyes will be on Geno Smith and his quest to lead the team to new heights.