Overview
- Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich praised Geno Smith's preparation, communication and “elite” football mind during mandatory minicamp Wednesday, saying Smith has impressed him in the quarterback room and at the line of scrimmage.
- Multiple teammates described an immediate lift in confidence for the offense after Smith's arrival, with players noting his natural leadership and steady communication in early practices.
- New York reacquired Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders in March in a trade that sent a sixth-round pick to Las Vegas and returned a seventh-round pick to New York.
- Smith enters the season needing to rebound from a poor 2025 campaign in Las Vegas and must validate Reich's praise with sustained performance in training camp and the regular season.
- The Jets still hold three first-round picks in 2027, which keeps the franchise positioned to draft a long-term quarterback and frames Smith's return as a short- to medium-term audition rather than a guaranteed long-term answer.