Jets Fans Already Skeptical of Geno Smith's Return

Former Giants linebacker Carl Banks says Smith faces an uphill battle to win over Jets fans after previous struggles

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:03pm

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Former Giants linebacker Carl Banks believes Jets fans have already turned on Geno Smith ahead of his second stint with the team. Banks says Smith is facing a "public thrashing" from fans who are calling him a "bum" and don't want him on the team. Banks thinks the Jets may try to move on quickly from Smith given the negative reaction, even though he believes Smith has proven he can be an NFL quarterback.

Why it matters

The Jets have struggled to find consistent quarterback play for years, and Smith's return represents their latest attempt to address the position. However, the negative reaction from fans highlights the uphill battle Smith faces to win over the team's notoriously tough fanbase and prove he can be the long-term answer at QB.

The details

Geno Smith was originally drafted by the Jets in 2013 but had a tumultuous tenure, including getting his jaw broken in a locker room fight. After leaving the Jets, Smith revived his career with the Seahawks, making two Pro Bowls and winning Comeback Player of the Year in 2022. However, a trade to the Raiders last season saw that goodwill evaporate as he threw a league-high 17 interceptions. Now back with the Jets, Smith is facing intense criticism from fans who are calling him a "bum" and don't want him on the team.

  • Geno Smith was acquired by the Jets in a trade from the Raiders in March 2026.

The players

Geno Smith

A quarterback who was originally drafted by the Jets in 2013 and is now returning to the team after stints with the Giants, Seahawks, and Raiders.

Carl Banks

A former linebacker for the New York Giants who now co-hosts the "Bleav in Giants" podcast.

Bob Papa

The co-host of the "Bleav in Giants" podcast with Carl Banks.

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What they’re saying

“What is happening with Geno Smith as he returned and like Jets fans are just not happy with him, but some of the stuff that's being said is if the guy has kinda — it's not kind of — he's redeemed his career. He's gone on post-Jets and and and done some good things, but boy, they are just killing him and the Jets.”

— Carl Banks, Former Giants Linebacker (Bleav in Giants Podcast)

“They call him a bum. He's this, he's that. I'm like, is this how you want to treat a guy coming in?”

— Carl Banks, Former Giants Linebacker (Bleav in Giants Podcast)

“It wouldn't shock me if the Jets were looking at somebody else and saying hey look this ain't going to work out because this guy ain't going to be welcome here.”

— Carl Banks, Former Giants Linebacker (Bleav in Giants Podcast)

What’s next

The Jets will need to determine if Geno Smith can win over the fanbase and prove he can be their long-term answer at quarterback, or if they will need to look elsewhere to address the position.

The takeaway

Geno Smith's return to the Jets faces an uphill battle, as the team's notoriously tough fanbase has already turned on him before he's even taken a snap. The Jets will need to carefully manage this situation and determine if Smith can overcome his past struggles and win over the fans, or if they need to find another solution at quarterback.