What Happened to Eugene Cyril "Geno" Smith III?
Geno Smith, an NFL quarterback, experienced a career resurgence with the Seattle Seahawks from 2022-2024, earning two Pro Bowl selections and the Comeback Player of the Year award. After a challenging 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, he returned to the New York Jets in 2026, where he is currently slated as the starting quarterback, looking to rebound and lead the team.
Quick Answer
Geno Smith is currently the starting quarterback for the New York Jets, having rejoined the team in 2026 after a single season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025. His 2025 campaign with the Raiders was marked by a high number of interceptions, but he is expected to be the Jets' Week 1 starter for the 2026 season. Smith, now 35, recently dealt with ankle soreness in the preseason but is cleared to play in the Jets' second preseason game on August 21, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Drafted by New York Jets
Geno Smith was selected by the New York Jets in the second round (39th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Jets Starting Quarterback
Smith started all but one game in his first two seasons with the Jets.
Backup Roles with Giants and Chargers
After leaving the Jets, Smith served as a backup for the New York Giants in 2017 and the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018.
Signed with Seattle Seahawks
Smith joined the Seattle Seahawks, initially serving as a backup quarterback behind Russell Wilson.
Seahawks Starting QB & Pro Bowl Selection
Smith won the starting quarterback job for the Seahawks and had a breakout season, earning his first Pro Bowl appearance and setting multiple franchise records.
Signed 3-Year Extension with Seahawks
Following his successful 2022 campaign, Smith signed a three-year, $105 million contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks.
Second Pro Bowl Selection
Smith continued his strong performance, earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
Career Highs with Seahawks
Smith set new career highs in passing yards (4,320) and completion percentage (70.4%) during his final season with the Seahawks.
Traded to Las Vegas Raiders
Amid a contract dispute, Geno Smith was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Signed 2-Year Extension with Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders agreed to terms with Geno Smith on a two-year extension worth up to $85.5 million with $66.5 million guaranteed.
Challenging Season with Raiders
Smith had a difficult season with the Raiders, throwing 19 touchdowns against a league-high 17 interceptions in 15 starts.
Rejoined New York Jets
After one season with the Raiders, Smith returned to the New York Jets, the team that drafted him, to be their starting quarterback.
Missed Preseason Week 1 due to Ankle Soreness
Smith was ruled out of the Jets' first preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to ankle soreness.
Cleared to Start Preseason Week 2
Despite earlier ankle soreness, Geno Smith was cleared and is expected to start the Jets' second preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Geno Smith's NFL journey began when he was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He served as the Jets' primary starter for his first two seasons, but inconsistent play and injuries led to him being benched and eventually released in 2016. Following his initial stint with the Jets, Smith spent several seasons as a backup quarterback for the New York Giants (2017) and Los Angeles Chargers (2018), struggling to find a consistent starting role.
His career took a significant turn when he signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2019, initially backing up Russell Wilson. After Wilson's departure, Smith won the starting job prior to the 2022 season and orchestrated a remarkable comeback. In 2022, he earned his first career Pro Bowl selection, was named the AP Comeback Player of the Year, and set several Seahawks single-season franchise records, including most pass attempts (572), completions (399), and passing yards (4,282), while leading the NFL in completion percentage (69.76%). He continued his strong performance in 2023, earning a second consecutive Pro Bowl selection. In March 2023, the Seahawks rewarded him with a three-year, $105 million contract extension. The 2024 season saw Smith continue to excel in Seattle, setting new career highs with 4,320 passing yards and a 70.4% completion percentage.
However, the landscape shifted in early 2025 when Smith was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders. He signed a two-year extension with the Raiders in April 2025. His 2025 season in Las Vegas proved challenging, as he threw 19 touchdowns against a league-high 17 interceptions in 15 starts, leading the Raiders to just two wins in his appearances. This downturn led to the Raiders moving on from him in the 2026 offseason.
In 2026, Smith made a full-circle return to the New York Jets, the team that originally drafted him. He is expected to be the Jets' Week 1 starting quarterback, despite a poor 2025 season. As of August 21, 2026, Smith, at 35 years old, is looking to rebound with the Jets. He experienced ankle soreness that caused him to miss the first preseason game but has been cleared to start in the team's second preseason matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has expressed confidence that 2026 will be his best season yet, aiming to leverage the Jets' solid offensive line and promising pass-catchers.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Eugene Cyril "Geno" Smith III made different choices?