Pat McAfee paused his interview with Bills center Connor McGovern to break Geno Smith trade news, sparking mixed reactions from New York Jets fans
15:56 ET, 10 Mar 2026Updated 15:56 ET, 10 Mar 2026
The Pat McAfee Show launched in 2019 as an independent podcast and YouTube channel
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The Pat McAfee Show launched in 2019 as an independent podcast and YouTube channel(Image: Getty)
Buffalo Bills center Connor McGovern thought he was simply appearing on a routine interview with Pat McAfee.
Instead, the conversation quickly took an unexpected turn when the popular host paused the interview to break major NFL news, a moment that left fans, especially those connected to the New York Jets, debating the development.
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During McGovern’s appearance on 'The Pat McAfee Show,' the discussion initially focused on the Bills’ offseason and the veteran center’s new contract extension. Buffalo had recently agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal with McGovern, including $32 million guaranteed, securing one of the key pieces of their offensive line before he could reach free agency. It comes after the Bills gave fans a first look into their new $2.1 billion stadium.
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McGovern, 28, has become a critical part of Buffalo’s offense over the past two seasons after transitioning from guard to center. The move placed him directly in front of quarterback Josh Allen, where his consistency helped stabilize the line.
In 2025, McGovern ranked fifth in the NFL in pass block win rate at 97.2%, according to TruMedia. The Bills’ decision to keep him long term ensured continuity on an offensive line that remains vital to the team’s success.
But while McGovern discussed his contract and Buffalo’s plans moving forward, McAfee suddenly interrupted the interview with breaking news from around the league.
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“We have some massive news, ladies and gentlemen,” McAfee said during the broadcast, before announcing that the New York Jets had agreed to acquire veteran quarterback Geno Smith in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The unexpected announcement shifted the tone of the conversation, with the trade quickly becoming one of the biggest storylines of the day.
The Jets agreed to send a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Raiders in exchange for Smith and a seventh-round pick. Las Vegas will also cover most of the quarterback’s salary after restructuring his contract.
Geno Smith has been traded to the New York Jets after one season with the Las Vegas Raiders.
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Geno Smith has been traded to the New York Jets after one season with the Las Vegas Raiders.(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Smith, 35, now returns to the franchise that originally drafted him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons with the Jets earlier in his career before leaving the team in 2017.
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His return, however, has generated mixed reactions among fans. Some Jets supporters welcomed the move as a low-risk addition at quarterback. With Las Vegas reportedly paying the majority of Smith’s contract, New York will only owe him just over the veteran minimum salary for the 2026 season.
Others, however, questioned the decision to bring back a quarterback who struggled during his lone season with the Raiders. Smith started 15 games for Las Vegas last season but led the league with 17 interceptions while finishing with 3,025 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. The Raiders finished with a 2-13 record in those starts.
Despite the difficult year in Las Vegas, Smith previously revitalized his career with the Seattle Seahawks, where he won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2022 and became one of the league’s most surprising success stories.