Breaking: Jets re-acquire QB Smith via trade

The Jets are bringing back a guy who will be seeking redemption after a tough go-round:

Trade: the Raiders are sending QB Geno Smith and a 2026 7th-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for a 2026 6th-round pick, per ESPN sources. Smith returns to the team for which he started his NFL career for in 2013. pic.twitter.com/xp7gvXxYJf

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2026

Initially this made no sense because the Jets could have had him for the veteran minimum, but apparently the Raiders are paying a pre-trade bonus for most of his 2026 salary. This means the Jets retain Smith under contract for 2027 at a non-guaranteed $39.5 million and will pay him a low salary this year.

Now that's out of the way, it's not a very inspiring addition for the Jets because Geno led the league in interceptions last year and looked checked out for much of it. He was good in Seattle though, so the Jets have to hope he still has something left and that he'll be motivated to get redemption in a full-circle fashion.