Is Geno Smith still valuable? A look at his stats through the 2026 season so far
Former WVU quarterback Geno Smith has seen decent luck in his return to the Jets organization. Is he still valuable?
JetsOn March 11, Geno Smith signed a deal with the New York Jets, returning to the team that drafted him for the first time in over 10 years.
The move was almost laughable for the Jets, who arguably haven't had consistency at the position since Smith was drafted out of WVU. Read more: Is Geno Smith still valuable? A look at his stats through the 2026 season so far
Smith had his best years in Seattle, winning 2022 Comeback Player of the Year honors after a surprising season that took the Seahawks to the playoffs in Russell Wilson’s first year away from the team.
This past season with the Las Vegas Raiders was far from Smith’s best. He won just two of the 15 games he started, leading the Raiders to have the No. 1 overall draft selection to take CFB champion quarterback, Fernando Mendoza.
Despite the odds, Smith has kept the Jets competitive this season. The Jets may not be the most winning team, but Smith has remained in good standing in several statistical categories.
Consistent completions and no interceptions
If there is one thing Smith has done well this season, it is making smart decisions when throwing the football.
Of quarterbacks who have played four or more games this season, Smith has the third-best completion percentage, 69.4%. He sits behind Joe Burrow (71.4%) and Lamar Jackson (70.8%).
Previously, Smith was first in the category at 75.5% after Week 3. This was the highest completion percentage by a Jets quarterback through the first three weeks in franchise history.
While Smith and the Jets have only won two games this season, Smith has outthrown every quarterback he has faced this season except one. Tyson Bagent, another quarterback with collegiate football ties to the state of West Virginia, outthrew Smith in the Bears’ 23-12 victory.
“I grew up a huge West Virginia fan. Really supported Geno Smith throughout his years and thought he did an outstanding job during his time at West Virginia,” Bagent said. “Just really a cool, full circle moment. And a nice birthday present for my dad.”
Another impressive stat for Smith this season is that he has thrown zero interceptions through the first five games. Only two other quarterbacks, C.J. Stroud and Jared Goff, have thrown zero interceptions this season and have started all five games.
In 2025, Smith threw 17 interceptions, making his performance this season even more impressive.
Smith also has the eighth-best quarterback rating this season (104.2) amongst players that have made four or more starts this season.
Through the other major statistical categories, Smith has remained middle of the pack. He has outperformed big-name quarterbacks in passing yards such as Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts.
Schedule luck?
The Jets' two wins this season came against the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns. All three of its losses have come against NFC North opponents, the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears.
In terms of total yards allowed this season, the Packers and Bears are in the top 10 of least yards allowed per game this season. The Browns and Titans are in the bottom 20, while the Lions are the league's worst in yards allowed.
While the Jets have not faced too many all-around explosive defenses this season, four of the teams are currently in the top 16 in least passing yards allowed this season. The Lions have allowed the most.
While it may not seem like the Jets have had much competition this season, Smith overall has had consistent performances against decent passing defenses.
In terms of interceptions, the Packers have the most this season with seven. The other four teams have had four or fewer.
Overall, Smith will face one of his biggest challenges of the season on Sunday in his first conference rivalry matchup against the New England Patriots. The Patriots are fifth, just behind the Jets, in least yards allowed defensively this season.
Related: Drake Maye led the Pats past the Bills after early-season struggles again... Déjà vu?
About Smith
Smith spent his college days with WVU from 2009-2012. He finished his career as the Mountaineers’ career touchdown leader (98), passing yards (11,662), completions (998), and total offense (12,003).
Smith was recognized for his collegiate career by the Mountaineers with an induction into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
In the 2013 NFL Draft, Smith was selected in the second round, 39th overall, by the Jets. He spent four years with the team before turning into a backup journeyman for several years.
In addition to the Jets, Smith has played for the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Smith made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023 in his time as the Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback. He was the completion percentage leader and Comeback Player of the Year in 2022.
Throughout his NFL career, Smith has thrown for 23,252 yards and 130 touchdowns.
This season is Smith’s 14th in the NFL. He has been a Week 1 starter for five consecutive seasons and seven in his career.
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John Boggess is a sports writer for Disruptor Sports Nation and WV Sports Nation. John earned his B.A. in sports journalism from Marshall University and his M.S. in journalism at WVU. John’s accomplishments include being named Best Metro Radio Sports Anchor in 2023 and Excellence in Public Service Through Radio Journalism in 2025 by the Virginia’s Associated Press Broadcasters Association. In addition to covering WVU sports, John does radio broadcasts for high school athletics.
This story was written and edited by John Boggess. No AI was used in the writing or editing of this story. How our newsroom works.
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