Jets OC Frank Reich praises Geno Smith as the perfect fit for turning the team around, emphasizing his toughness, resilience, and leadership. Reich, who has long believed in Smith since Geno’s West Virginia days, asserts that Smith’s best football is ahead and that his experience through ups and downs has prepared him for a breakout 2026 season. The article also notes Reich’s influence on the Jets’ QB acquisition process and outlines Smith’s mixed past, including a difficult 2025 season with the Raiders that featured a league-leading 17 interceptions and a high number of sacks, along with discussions from NFL sources about dysfunction in Las Vegas at that time.
Key takeaways:
– Frank Reich expresses strong confidence in Geno Smith’s mental and physical toughness and leadership ability to lead a turnaround.
– Reich’s influence helped shape the Jets’ quarterback choice, culminating in Smith’s return to New York.
– Despite a challenging 2025 season with the Raiders, Smith projects improvement and could set franchise single-season records in passing yards, completion rate, and touchdowns if his trajectory continues.
