FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Saying he’s confident, but not arrogant, New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith vowed to be better than ever in his second stint with the team.
“I still have a ton of years left on my body to play this game and I want to continue to try and maximize it,” Smith, 35, said Thursday during a Zoom with the New York media. “And so I believe the Jets are getting a better player than I was in Seattle. I know that for a fact, in fact.”
Smith’s signature seasons occurred with the Seahawks in 2022 and 2023 — he was named to the Pro Bowl both years — but he slumped last season on the 3-14 Las Vegas Raiders.
The Jets are hoping Smith can stabilize their quarterback position. They traded for him on Tuesday, bringing him back to where his career began in 2013. He was their second-round pick that year, became a Day 1 starter and started 29 games over his first two seasons before moving into a backup role.
“I don’t think anyone could have imagined that, honestly, but that’s the beauty of life itself,” Smith said of his return to the Jets.
Smith was 8-8 as a rookie starter, showed improvement in his second season and was poised to be the starter again in 2015. But he lost his job after missing the first few weeks of the season with a broken jaw after he was punched by a teammate during a locker-room dispute in training camp.
Reflecting on his past, Smith said he has grown as a player and person since those early days, saying “experience is the best professor.” He said he’s “honored” to be the Jets’ starting quarterback again, adding that he’s “super excited” to get to work.
“I just felt like I was back where I belonged, man. It felt special,” Smith said. “When I was drafted there, my goal was to play my entire career for the Jets and one day retire as a Jet.”
Smith added: “And although it didn’t go exactly as planned, somehow, some way we got back here and I’m eager to make things right if I can.”
Smith, who threw a league-high 17 interceptions last season, praised the Jets’ skill-position players and offensive line. He mentioned Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Mason Taylor and Braelon Allen.
“They’ve got a lot of young talent and a really special group of guys, in my opinion, that can really kind of take over this league,” Smith said.
Smith will be reunited with former teammate Demario Davis, who was drafted by the Jets in 2012. After a long career with the New Orleans Saints, Davis signed a two-year, $22 million deal to play for the Jets for the third time.
“I’ve just been amazed at watching his journey,” Davis said of Smith. “What an incredible journey and an incredible story.”
