With the trade deadline closing in, the Jets are getting dragged into the usual swirl of wild ideas. Some of the chatter has been absurd, including the notion of moving Garrett Wilson to the 49ers, Chiefs, or Steelers.
That kind of talk feels far-fetched. The Geno Smith angle belongs in the same bucket.
There’s no shortage of teams that could use a steady veteran quarterback, and Smith checks that box. The Vikings, for one, would probably prefer him to the mix of Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz they’ve had.
So it’s fair to ask whether Minnesota could call the Jets before Tuesday and dangle a Day 2 pick for Smith. But the answer in New York should be simple.
The Jets should not trade Geno Smith.
Yes, the team is 2-6 and the season is basically gone. Yes, another draft pick would only add to the mountain of assets the Jets already have lined up for the 2027 NFL Draft.
And yes, there would be some curiosity about what rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik could do in real games. But that doesn’t make the move smart.
Pulling Smith out of the lineup now would send the wrong message to the entire locker room. He has been playing well, and dealing him in the middle of the season would look like Darren Mougey waving the white flag. That kind of move could easily drag the team even deeper into the hole it’s already in.
It would also hit the young offensive players hardest. One of the biggest problems in the 2025 season has been the way shaky quarterback play has stalled the growth of the Jets’ young weapons. It was difficult to get a clean read on players like Adonai Mitchell, Mason Taylor, and others on offense while Justin Fields and Brady Cook were struggling to run the unit.
Smith changes that. With him, the Jets can function at 100%. Omar Cooper Jr., Kenyon Sadiq, Taylor, and Mitchell can actually show what they can do because the ball is getting to them consistently.
Could Klubnik provide that kind of stability? Maybe, but probably not. And for a young offense trying to develop, having a quarterback you know is competent matters a lot.
In Other News...
Jets Face A Will McDonald Decision That Could Spark Debate
Will McDonald IVs role has quietly shifted in the Jets defense this season, even as injuries have thinned the pass-rush group around him. It has created an odd little roster wrinkle for a team that still values edge depth, but also has enough draft capital to avoid making a move just for the sake of it.
According to The Athletics Zack Rosenblatt, there is at least some interest in entertaining a McDonald trade, though the price would have to be meaningful enough to change the Jets thinking. For now, the more likely path is standing pat through the 2026 trade deadline, with any real shopping more apt to happen on the offensive side than along the edge. [Read more 🡒]
Breece Hall Returns With More Than Just His Jets Role At Stake
Breece Hall is expected back for the Jets against the Chiefs after missing time with an injury, and his return brings more than just a familiar name back into the backfield. In his absence, Braelon Allen made a strong case for a larger role, giving New York a useful reminder that the running game can still function with a different look when Hall is sidelined.
Hall also opened up about stepping away from social media during the layoff, a sign that the week away carried a heavier personal toll than just rehab and missed snaps. He was candid about the pressure around his status and the noise that can follow a player through injuries and role questions, even as he heads back into a backfield where the conversation has changed a bit since he last suited up. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Young Pass Catchers Suddenly Face A Massive Chiefs Test
The Jets head into a prime-time matchup with the Chiefs needing to sort out life without Garrett Wilson, who will miss the game because of a concussion. For an offense already looking for more consistency, the absence of its top receiver shifts even more attention to the young pass catchers who have been waiting for a larger share of the workload.
Omar Cooper Jr. and Adonai Mitchell suddenly become central figures in the passing game, while Mason Taylor and Kenyon Sadiq also stand to see more chances as the Jets try to spread the ball around. It is the kind of test that can accelerate development in a hurry, and it gives New York a chance to see whether its younger options can handle a bigger stage against one of the league's toughest opponents. [Read more 🡒]