Jets land help; Trey Hendrickson still waiting

2) Geno Smith and the New York Jets: You CAN go home again. Smith was drafted by the Jets in 2013, started 30 games for them over four seasons, had his jaw fractured by teammate IK Enemkpali, last played for them in 2016, resurrected his career in Seattle, struggled with the Raiders and will now return via trade to where he started, as a different quarterback this time. The 35-year-old has grown immensely as a leader and mentor, which the Jets badly need. He has played at a Pro Bowl level in his career, and he is still able to throw the ball to the perimeter, where Garrett Wilson awaits.

Last year with the Raiders was a disaster — certainly not a problem exclusively of Smith’s making, considering the dysfunction in Las Vegas — but in 2024, he threw for 4,300 yards and led the Seahawks to 10 wins. Smith is, at minimum, a placeholder starter for the Jets, and not an expensive one, since the Raiders are picking up the bulk of the $18.5 million he was guaranteed this season. They can draft a quarterback this year with one of their 10 selections, or they can wait until next year, when they have three first-round picks in a draft that is expected to feature a loaded quarterback class. Smith is simply competent, which is an upgrade for the Jets. They can win games with him while they look for the quarterback of the future. Smith was right: They wrote him off, and he didn’t write back.