The New York Jets don't likely see former Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Geno Smith as their long-term QB1. That isn't because Smith is always terrible, but because of his age. Smith is now 35 years old, and his mercurial history in the NFL doesn't lead one to great faith in his production.
That is the problem for New York currently, as the team and its fans are getting the full Smith experience. Sure, the quarterback previously played with the team, but he left in 2016, and he has lived three or four football lives since then. Jets fans might have forgotten how Smith goes about business, but a reminder will probably happen at some point.
In training camp, the quarterback is performing quite well. According to Jets reporter Zack Rosenblatt, Smith had a good practice on Friday, completing passes and getting the team's excellent wide receiver, Garrett Wilson, heavily involved in the passing attack. Smith will probably continue to do that.
New York Jets already getting the full experience of former Seattle Seahawks QB1 Geno Smith
That's part of the issue. Geno Smith is going to be a star in training camp, and he is going to say the same well-rehearsed words when speaking to reporters after camp. His go-to is to say things such as the team practiced well, and he had a positive outlook for the upcoming season, but that the team still had a ways to go to be good. Ultimately, meaningless words.
But how he talks to reporters is expected, just as much as how his 2026 season will probably unfold. The Jets are re-learning that Smith can be great in practice. He has a good arm and can make throws to all parts of the field. He will lead receivers on explosive plays, and he will do the same thing in real games to a degree.
But Seattle Seahawks fans know what will follow. When things inevitably begin to go badly during the season, Smith will rage at his teammates and maybe even fans (he managed to raise his middle finger to Seattle fans in a preseason game last year and to his own Las Vegas Raiders fans during the season), and his volatile temper will cause his leadership to have limits.
Geno Smith will also lead New York to more points than expected at times, but he will find a way to force far too many throws that lead to turnovers at the absolute worst times for his team. Smith will take away from his own team as much as he gives.
But for now, Smith will be a surprisingly good QB1 for the New York Jets in training camp. Fans of the team will reluctantly begin to have hope for a successful season because of what the quarterback is doing in camp, but then reality will hit when Smith is yelling at teammates. He's a physically talented quarterback, but not a good leader.
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