The Jets are finally set to give Geno Smith his first live preseason action in green and white.
After Smith was scratched late from New York’s opening exhibition because of injury, the team has now named him the starter for Week 2 against the Steelers, according to Conner Hughes of SNY. Hughes reported Thursday afternoon, "Sources: Jets QB Geno Smith will start tomorrow's game against the Steelers," and that means Jets fans will get their first look at the new QB1 before the regular season arrives.
Smith’s absence in the opener left Cade Klubnik to handle emergency starting duties in a 24-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Klubnik turned in a solid showing. But the focus now shifts to the veteran quarterback the Jets acquired this offseason in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Smith, 35, is coming off a rough 2025 season in which he finished with 3,025 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Still, the Jets are hoping the change of scenery helps him reset after what was described as a dysfunctional Raiders run, and his return to New York comes a decade after he last played for the team.
This preseason outing should give the Jets a clearer read on how Smith looks with the starting offense. The chemistry watch is obvious: Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell and Isaiah Williams are the receivers to keep an eye on, while Braelon Allen and Mason Taylor should also be in the mix with Breece Hall and Kenyon Sadiq hurt.
Omar Cooper Jr. is listed as the fourth receiver on the roster, and he could see time with Smith if Wilson doesn’t play. However it shakes out, this is an important step for New York, with Smith’s live reps offering the kind of early evidence that could help shape the rest of the season and determine whether Klubnik sees the field sooner rather than later.
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