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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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Quarterback has been an issue for the New York Jets for years.
They've repeatedly loaded up at every other position and drafted well, using high draft capital on talented young players like Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Sauce Gardner, and Quinnen Williams. And yet, the Jets haven't had a winning record in over a decade, cycling through quarterbacks like Ryan Fitzpatrick, Sam Darnold, Joe Flacco, Zach Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers.
Now, they're putting their faith in a 35-year-old Geno Smith, who's returning to the team that drafted him 13 years ago. And according to the Jets' new offensive coordinator, Frank Reich, Smith not only hasn't lost a step physically, but remains one of the best pocket passers in the NFL — pointing specifically to his throwing mechanics.
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"They're pure," Reich said. "There's only a couple guys in the league I would say are pure. Geno is one of them ... It feels like he's 28. Physically, he is in his prime. His arm, the way he moves, his feet in the pocket, he's physically in his prime."
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This is incredibly high — and somewhat surprising — praise for a player coming off a brutal season with the Las Vegas Raiders. In 15 games, he threw for just 3,025 yards and 19 touchdowns, while leading the league with 17 interceptions. His 34.1 QBR was the second-lowest mark in the league among starting quarterbacks, behind only rookie Cam Ward, and his 84.7 passer rating was also among the lowest marks in the league — his personal worst over a full season in more than a decade.
Reich, a former NFL quarterback himself, is hoping Smith can recapture some of that 2022 magic with the Seattle Seahawks. That season, Smith took over the starting job after Russell Wilson was traded and completely revitalized his career, finishing with 4,282 passing yards (eighth-most in the NFL), 30 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He completed a league-leading 69.8% of his passes and posted a passer rating of 100.9 (fifth-best in the league), earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors and his first Pro Bowl selection.
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The Jets already have the pieces around Smith: Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, along with rookie receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq, plus an elite workhorse back in Hall. What they haven't had in years is steady quarterback play. If Smith can get anywhere close to his 2022 form, this is a team that could surprise some people this season.
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