More than a decade after selecting Geno Smith in the NFL draft, the New York Jets are welcoming back the veteran quarterback as they continue searching for stability at the position.
According to reports, the Las Vegas Raiders and Jets finalized a deal on Tuesday that sends the 35-year-old Smith back to his original professional team. In exchange, New York will give up a sixth-round selection in the 2026 draft (pick 208).
As part of the agreement, the Jets will also obtain a seventh-round pick (219th overall) alongside Smith, who had been expecting his release from Las Vegas before Wednesday’s start of the league year.
To facilitate his return to New York, Smith reportedly modified his existing contract terms. According to ESPN, Las Vegas will cover the majority of his remaining salary, leaving the Jets with a financial obligation barely above the veteran minimum wage.
Smith was originally chosen by New York in the second round (39th selection) during the 2013 draft after his college career at West Virginia. During his initial four-year stint with the franchise, he posted a 57.9% completion rate while throwing for 5,962 yards and 28 touchdowns against 26 interceptions across 33 appearances (30 as a starter) between 2013 and 2016.
Las Vegas is expected to address their quarterback needs by selecting Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza with the top overall pick in the upcoming draft.
The Raiders faced pressure to move Smith quickly due to an $8 million guaranteed payment scheduled to become official on March 13.
During the previous season, Smith struggled significantly, leading the league with 17 interceptions while completing 67.4% of his attempts for 3,025 yards and 15 scores in 15 starting assignments. Las Vegas managed just two victories in games Smith started, finishing 2-13, and he absorbed a league-high 55 sacks.
Throughout his professional career, Smith has completed 65.2% of his throws for 22,168 yards with 124 touchdowns and 89 interceptions over 109 regular-season contests (98 starts) while playing for the Jets, New York Giants (2017), Los Angeles Chargers (2018), Seattle Seahawks (2020-24), and Raiders.
Smith’s lone postseason experience came during the 2022 campaign with Seattle, when the Seahawks fell to the San Francisco 49ers 41-23 in an NFC wild-card matchup. That same year, he earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year recognition and received Pro Bowl honors in both 2022 and 2023.
