Jets QB Geno Smith gets first preseason action, looks good in lone drive that ends with TD

New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn’s job security might rest on whether Geno Smith can have a big rebound this season.

Smith got just one drive in Friday’s preseason game against the Steelers, but Glenn was obviously happy with what he saw. Because Smith’s night was done after a perfect drive.

Smith, who didn’t play in the preseason opener, looked good against a Steelers defense using a lot of starters. He hit Adonai Mitchell twice for 29 yards. He hit No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson on a 10-yard catch. He found tight end Jelani Woods wide open for a 13-yard touchdown. Smith was 7 of 7 for 65 yards and a touchdown on the first drive.

The Jets have some talent on offense. Breece Hall is a good running back, Wilson is a talented receiver who desperately needs to team up with a good quarterback, the offensive line and tight ends have highly drafted and talented players. It has been a while since the Jets have had a good offense, but there are interesting pieces. However, they need Smith to play well to see any results.

not a bad start 😮‍💨

📺: #NYJvsPIT on @NFLonCBS, @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/Ias9l0WIsu

— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 21, 2026

Smith was a solid quarterback for the Seahawks. He made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023. He wasn’t as good in 2024 as his interceptions spiked to 15, and then he was traded to the Raiders. It’s unlikely any quarterback could have had success with the 2025 Raiders, and Smith’s play plummeted. While it’s reasonable to believe that Smith, who will turn 36 years old this season, simply hit the age cliff, it’s also possible that he can reclaim some of that form from his first two seasons in Seattle. If he plays at that level, the Jets’ offense should be much better than expected.

The problem for the Jets is that if Smith is good and they win too many games, it could screw up their opportunity for a top quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft. But that’s a problem for another day, and one that Glenn in particular isn’t worried about. If the Jets get a top three draft pick, he probably won’t be around to coach that new quarterback anyway.

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p style=”text-align:left”>This is Smith’s second tour with the Jets. He was their second-round pick back in 2013, and had to wait a long time until he had a successful run as an NFL starter in Seattle. There’s no guarantee that the Jets offense will be good in the regular season just because they had one impressive drive in preseason. But it’s a start.