The New York Jets have finally reached a different stage of their rebuild.
Geno Smith is the answer, not the long-term one, but he is an answer nonetheless.
Smith a bridge piece of this organization’s rebuild. It would be nice if he threw for 5,000 yards, but let’s be honest. No one expects him to.
No one’s wagering on Smith winning the 2026 NFL MVP award or single-handedly dragging New York into playoff contention. At this stage, his greatest value may come from providing something far less glamorous but far more important.
Stability… The Jets aren’t asking Smith to again become the face of the franchise. They’re asking him to help guide a roster that’s beginning to grow up around him.
For years, New York lacked the type of supporting cast capable of helping a quarterback succeed. Too often, one player was expected to solve problems that extended far beyond the quarterback position. This roster feels different.
Garrett Wilson remains one of the NFL’s premier receivers, but he finally enters a season with legitimate help around him. Breece Hall continues to give the offense a proven playmaker in the backfield. Younger targets like Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq offer reasons for optimism. The offensive line also appears to be moving in the right direction.
Olu Fashanu continues developing into the cornerstone tackle the organization envisioned when it selected him in the first round. That gives Smith a stronger foundation than many Jets quarterbacks have enjoyed in recent years.
That changes the expectations surrounding the quarterback position. The Jets don’t need Smith to carry the offense. They need him to operate it.
The Jets are asking Smith to simply be the steady veteran who helps a talented young roster take its next step. If he accomplishes that, New York won’t need him to carry the franchise. He’ll have helped move everything forward.
Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 offseason.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Do the Jets need QB Geno Smith to be a superstar in 2026?
Reporting by Geoffrey A Knox, Jets Wire / Jets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Geoffrey A Knox, Jets Wire | USA TODAY Network
