For years, the biggest game of the season for Jets fans was the NFL Draft.
The Jets have gone 15 years without a playoffs appearance, a North American major sports team record. But now, with veteran quarterback Geno Smith leading the way and a stronger defense, the Jets actually have hope for their regular season.
However, in typical Jets fashion, if they are very successful in 2026, they may screw up their 2027 team and beyond.
So far, Smith has been playing at an All-Pro level. He has completed more than 75 percent of his passes, with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Before being swarmed at the end of the Lions game and fumbling on a strip sack, Smith had no turnovers.
Against Detroit, he stood toe-to-toe with the Lions’ leader, Jared Goff. Smith completed 31 passes on 37 attempts, totaling three touchdowns and 321 yards.
Right now, the Jets are doing it without their starting tight end, Mason Taylor, and their No. 2 receiver, Adonai Mitchell. They’ll also be missing star running back Breece Hall and starting left guard Dylan Parham, who was playing at a high level in his first year with the Jets.
The offense in the Jets first two games wasn’t exactly Air Geno. But if offensive coordinator Frank Reich is determined to open things up, as he did against Detroit, the Jets might actually contend for a playoff spot.
Here’s where it gets tricky. Smith signed a one-year contract with the Jets to be a bridge quarterback. The hope was he could at least be competent, avoiding the Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook debacle of 2025, when the team went 3-14.
So imagine the season ends and the Jets make the playoffs. Smith may be an attractive free agent for some team that either needs a backup that can be counted on, or one that thinks Smith may be the missing link to lead them to the playoffs.
That would leave the Jets with Cade Klubnik, Will Levis and three 2027 draft choices. But if the Jets are too good in 2026, they will be drafting too far down to snag Arch Manning, Dante Moore, C.J. Carr or any of the other vaunted college quarterbacks anticipated to come available in 2027.
Yes, they could trade up, presuming they could find a partner. But not every team wants to help their rivals.
So imagine this nightmare, Jets fans – Smith leads the Jets to the playoffs, then leaves. The Jets are too far down in the draft to get their quarterback of the future. And the Jets talent on board at QB never gets any better.
Of course, it’s all speculation. Ask the Las Vegas Raiders if they are worried that Kirk Cousins is making it difficult to find game time for Fernando Mendoza. Jets fans could only be so lucky.
