The 2025 season for the New York Jets was a total disaster. The defense didn't have a single interception, and the Jets' quarterback rotation was incredibly disappointing.
After a revamp this offseason, adding a ton of help on both sides of the ball, the Jets are being led on offense by Geno Smith, who had an awful 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders.
While it's fair to wonder if that 2025 season is what Smith will be going forward, ESPN analyst Ben Solak gave the Jets an encouraging verdict on his bad 2025 season, calling it a "blip" rather than a trend of things to come for the new Jets QB.
Jets get encouraging prediction on Geno Smith amid 'blip' 2025 season
"Of course, 35 years old is still 35 years old. If Smith regains his Seattle-era productivity, it won't likely be for long. But I believe he can," Solak writes. "Verdict: Blip, but close to becoming a trend. A blend, some would say."
Looking at Smith's 2025 season, it's fair to be really concerned about how he'll perform in the Jets offense this upcoming season.
For the Raiders last year, Smith started 15 games, going 2-13 with a 67.4 completion percentage with 3,025 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-leading 17 interceptions. He also took 55 sacks, the most in the NFL.
Smith's 84.7 passer rating isn't the worst in the NFL, but it's well below the previous few seasons he's had with the Seattle Seahawks, when he averaged 95.9 passer rating.
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But there is reason to believe he could play better in 2026 with the Jets than he did in 2025 with the Raiders. The offensive line is much better in New York than what he had in Las Vegas, which is a huge boost to the possible ceiling of Smith this year.
Also, the supporting cast is a lot better with the Jets than it was with the Raiders. While Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty were fun players, the wide receiver room was incredibly lackluster.
But now with the Jets, Smith will get to throw to Garrett Wilson, Omar Cooper Jr., and Adonai Mithcell. That's not to mention Kenyon Sadiq and Mason Taylor in the tight end room, along with star running back Breece Hall.
It's a much better offensive environment for Smith, and Solak believes that the returning Jets quarterback has a realistic chance to prove that his poor 2025 season with the Raiders was just a blip on the radar, and his recent Seahawks production is more akin to his normal ability.
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