Geno Smith was once seen as a key part of the New York Jets’ future, a potential star quarterback with a big smile and a strong arm.
However, his time with the Jets ended in disappointment due to inconsistency, struggles, and a highly publicized locker room fight that hurt his career with the team.
On Sunday, Smith will face the franchise that drafted him in 2013 with the 39th overall pick, the New York Jets, for the second time as the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks (6-5). This will be his first time playing against the Jets at MetLife Stadium, his first NFL home.
“It’s the biggest game of the year because it’s the next game,” Smith said, who previously beat the Jets in Seattle in 2022. “But obviously because I was drafted there, it’s going to be a narrative that’s built.”
Smith, who also won against the Giants last year at MetLife Stadium, played for the Jets for parts of four seasons. He started in his first two years, showing flashes of the talent that made him a star in college.
However, his career took a hit when linebacker IK Enemkpali broke his jaw in a fight during training camp in 2015. Ryan Fitzpatrick took over as the starter, and Smith started just one more game for the Jets. He finished his time with the Jets with 28 touchdown passes and 36 interceptions in 33 games, including 30 starts.
“I’ve always had tremendous love and respect for that organization,” said Smith, now 34. “Obviously, the team that drafted me, gave me a chance out of the gate. A lot of great people there. Some people that I was there with, a lot of those people are now gone.
“So as far as the whole revenge thing, that’s not on my mind.”
After his time with the Jets, Smith played for the Giants for one year and the Chargers for another. In 2019, he joined the Seahawks, initially as a backup to Russell Wilson. He filled in as the starter for three games in 2021. After Wilson was traded to Denver in the 2022 offseason, Smith won the starting job over Drew Lock.
And he thrived.
Smith won the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year in his first season with the Seahawks, earned a three-year contract, and made the Pro Bowl in both of the last two years. He has thrown 62 touchdown passes over the past three seasons, becoming one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. While his 12 interceptions this year lead the league, his performance has earned him great respect.
“Yeah, tremendous respect for Geno and what he’s done because that’s not the typical story in this league,” said Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich. “Guys, when they fail or face real adversity and they don’t get it done at their initial stop, a lot of times that’s it and their career’s over with and they don’t become the players that they should’ve or could’ve become.
“He’s a guy that’s, absolutely, he’s started over in Seattle and he’s revived his career in so many ways and it’s really cool to see. A testament to the resolve that he has.”
