The New York Jets had an extremely frustrating season last year, the first of the Aaron Glenn era. Glenn and the Jets parted ways with four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers and brought in Justin Fields. Ironically, Rodgers went on to win the AFC North with the Steelers, while Fields and the Jets fielded one of the most pedestrian offenses in the league.
Fields has since moved on, joining the Kansas City Chiefs, where he’ll back up Patrick Mahomes. The Jets have acquired veteran Geno Smith, bringing the former West Virginia Mountainers star back to the franchise where he began his career.
Smith’s new offensive coordinator, Frank Reich, is excited about what they can accomplish together.
“I think he fits perfect. I’ve liked Geno from day one,” Reich said in a presser, via the Jets’ official website. “When he was coming out of West Virginia, I had a high grade on Geno. I had not met Geno before here, and I’m kind of glad because I’m even more impressed with him, now meeting him in person.
“I feel his resilience, his toughness, I always think the No. 1 attribute in any quarterback that you need, especially if you want to come and turn something around, is you need someone who’s tough. I mean tough mentally, tough physically, and I feel that from Geno on every front.
“I think his experience, the ups and downs that he’s been through, and he’s had great success, and had to deal with some tough seasons, and if you play in this league long enough, everyone’s going to face that. And if you are the person, if you’re the right kind of leader, then you come out of it better, and I think that’s the version of Geno Smith we’re getting. We’re getting the best version of who he is, and I think his best football’s ahead of him.”
Smith struggled last season, his lone year with the Las Vegas Raiders, but he’s produced at a winning level in the NFL again, and the Jets are counting on him to return to form.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.