Jets OC Frank Reich turns heads with latest Geno Smith comments

New York Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich had a strong take about Geno Smith during a news conference.

Reich stated that he was a believer in Smith as far back as when he was coming out of West Virginia. Now that he has finally had the chance to coach Smith, Reich said he's been more impressed.

“I feel his resilience, his toughness,” Reich said, per Pro Football Talk's Myles Simmons. “You need someone who’s tough mentally, tough physically, and I feel that from Geno on every front.”

Those words seem to indicate more than just Smith's arm or the stats that come with it. Smith has had his career resurrected once already in the eyes of many around the league, and that type of grit may go a long way for a coach like Reich.

How Geno Smith found his way back to the Jets

Smith revived his career with the Seattle Seahawks, serving as the starting quarterback from 2022 to 2024. After a contract dispute with Seattle, the Seahawks traded Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, where he reunited with former head coach Pete Carroll.

After a disappointing 2025 season, the Raiders moved on from Smith as they prepared to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Jets brought back their 2013 second-round pick in March, giving Smith another opportunity in New York. Since returning, he has drawn strong praise from the coaching staff.

Frank Reich thinks the Jets have a leader in Geno Smith

Reich elaborated on why he still believes in Smith: He pointed to every experience the quarterback has had in his NFL career.

“If you are the right kind of leader, then you come out of it better,” Reich said. “I think that’s the version of Geno Smith we’re getting.”

Evidently, the Jets believe that as well, and this is where things become more uncertain. While Smith's experience and leadership might bring a degree of stability to a struggling Jets offense, stating he is poised to play his best football is not necessarily supported by the facts.

The Jets are betting on experience over upside

During the 2025 season, Smith threw 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions while posting an 84.7 passer rating and a 34.1 QBR en route to a 2-13 record. 

Those numbers help explain why Reich’s belief that Smith’s best football is still ahead of him may raise some eyebrows around the league. Over the course of his career, Smith has posted an 87.5 passer rating and a 65.2 completion percentage. This shows flashes of strong quarterback play at times but also stretches of inconsistency throughout his NFL journey.

But is he still going to be a good quarterback, let alone have his best football ahead of him, when he is 35 years old and coming off a poor season in Las Vegas? Reich's support suggests it is clear what the Jets hope to get out of Smith now. It is not just about filling in. They are looking for a veteran presence who could potentially pleasantly surprise with competent play if everything else falls into place.