Geno Smith Declares Himself One of NFL's Best QBs After Return to Jets

The 35-year-old quarterback believes he still has a lot to give as a starter before transitioning to a mentor role.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Geno Smith, a 35-year-old quarterback, has returned to the New York Jets after a stint with the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite a disappointing 2025 season, Smith believes he is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and is eager to prove himself as a starter rather than a mentor. He turned down the opportunity to stay with the Raiders in a backup role, instead opting to join the Jets, the team that originally drafted him.

Why it matters

Smith's confidence in his abilities as a starting quarterback in the NFL is noteworthy, especially given his previous struggles with the Jets and his age. His return to the team that drafted him presents an opportunity for him to revive his career and potentially solidify his status as an elite quarterback in the league.

The details

After a disappointing 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, Geno Smith believes he still has a lot to offer as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Despite the option to stay with the Raiders in a mentor role, Smith opted to join the New York Jets, the team that originally drafted him, in the hopes of proving he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Smith believes he could have remained with the Raiders and mentored their future first-round pick, but he feels he is not at that stage of his career yet.

  • In 2025, Geno Smith had the worst season of his career with the Las Vegas Raiders.
  • In 2026, Geno Smith returned to the New York Jets, the team that originally drafted him.

The players

Geno Smith

A 35-year-old quarterback who has returned to the New York Jets after a stint with the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite a disappointing 2025 season, Smith believes he is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and is eager to prove himself as a starter.

Fernando Mendoza

The future first-round pick of the Las Vegas Raiders, whom Geno Smith could have mentored had he stayed with the team.

Matthew Stafford

The 37-year-old quarterback who won MVP with the Los Angeles Rams in the 2025 season, inspiring Geno Smith to believe he still has a lot to offer as a starter.

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What they’re saying

“I probably could've stayed with the Raiders in a mentor role, but where I'm at in my career, I really believe I'm one of the better QBs in the league.”

— Geno Smith (Newsweek)

The takeaway

Geno Smith's confidence in his abilities as a starting quarterback in the NFL, despite his age and past struggles, highlights the competitive nature of the league and the drive of veteran players to prove they still have what it takes to be among the best. His return to the Jets presents an opportunity for him to revive his career and potentially solidify his status as an elite quarterback.