Geno Smith’s Departure Led Jets to 13 New Starting Quarterbacks
Geno Smith’s departure from the New York Jets marked a significant turning point for the franchise. Since he left, the team has cycled through an astonishing 13 different starting quarterbacks.
From Geno Smith to 13 Quarterbacks
Geno Smith was drafted in 2013 and became the Jets’ starting quarterback for his first two NFL seasons. However, an incident on August 15, 2015, where he was punched by teammate IK Enemkpali, abruptly ended his tenure as the starter.
List of Starting Quarterbacks
After Smith, the Jets have experimented with a variety of quarterbacks, including:
- Ryan Fitzpatrick
- Bryce Petty
- Josh McCown
- Sam Darnold
- Luke Falk
- Trevor Siemian
- Joe Flacco
- Mike White
- Tim Boyle
- Aaron Rodgers
- Justin Fields
- Tyrod Taylor
- Brady Cook
Smith technically started one game in the 2016 season, marking his last appearance as a Jet—an era that has since seen a carousel of signal-callers.
The Future of the Quarterback Position
Currently, Geno Smith is poised to rejoin the Jets. If the team completes the trade, Smith will likely reclaim the starting role. The franchise’s next steps are crucial.
Fields, one of the quarterbacks currently under contract, is expected to be cut. The Jets might also draft another player or bring in additional veterans. As it stands, Smith is set to earn $3.3 million in 2026.
With Smith’s return, the Jets hope to find stability at the quarterback position, a spot that has seen numerous changes over the years. The team’s management will have to make strategic decisions to solidify their roster moving forward.
