The New York Jets are all in on Geno Smith as their starting quarterback heading into the 2026 season. Darren Mougey reunited the veteran quarterback with the team after trading for him in the offseason. Smith will serve as the starter under new offensive coordinator Frank Reich.
Despite that, the Jets have expressed interest in having a veteran backup behind Smith. They’ve been strongly linked to Russell Wilson, who is reportedly weighing options between signing with them or pursuing a career as a football analyst on television. Wilson should choose the latter, as a marriage between him and the Jets doesn’t make sense.
If the Jets are attempting to win in 2026, it’ll be with Smith as their starting quarterback. If that plan doesn’t meet maximum expectations, Mougey should immediately shift attention to finding out what he has in fourth-round rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik prior to the 2027 NFL Draft. The Jets are scheduled to have three first-round picks in a class that could be loaded with premium quarterback prospects.
If Wilson plays quarterback for the Jets in 2026, something went terribly wrong with Smith. At that point, Mougey should be preserving the future by focusing on the 2027 NFL Draft and/or Klubnik’s development. Perhaps it’s a coaching staff that knows its seat is hot that has last-ditch interest in Wilson.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Why Russell Wilson doesn’t make sense for the New York Jets
Reporting by Justin Melo, Jets Wire / Jets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
