SNY: Geno Smith starting Friday’s preseason game

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that the team is not concerned about Smith’s foot soreness, writing, “if this was a regular-season game, he’d be a go.” Smith has reportedly been pushing the ball downfield in practice. Those hoping to catch a glimpse of the Jets’ passing attack will have to check back next week to see if the foot issue has been resolved. Rookie QB Cade Klubnik gets the start tonight.

Rogers said Smith in a recent camp practice challenged the Jets secondary downfield enough to open up short-area opportunities for his pass catchers. “He wants to push the ball down the field to the WRs and hopefully that opens up the quick underneath throws,” Rogers said, adding that the Jets tight ends and rookie WR Omar Cooper were functioning as the main short-area pass catchers. Coming off a disastrous 2025 campaign in Vegas, Geno will look to bounce back with the Jets this season. During his run with the Seahawks, Geno was among the league’s most accurate passers.

No charges are being brought and future action is contingent on new information or evidence being brought forward, per a police spokesman. Police were reportedly unable to determine the primary aggressor in the physical altercation. Smith’s home camera did not show any physical altercation occur between Smith and a woman. While it’s possible that there is more evidence to be seen, it seems safe to proceed as if there’s no reason to believe Smith will be held liable for whatever occurred here.

“We were informed yesterday evening that, during review, it was determined that this case is being further investigated by detectives,” the department said in a Tuesday morning statement. “It is active and we cannot release any additional information at this time.” The department had been sending mixed messages, saying it was “not an active case” but “still being reviewed.” We now know it is indeed still being investigated, leaving the situation very much up in the air. There will likely be another update before the week is through.

According to the California Post, a spokesperson for the Davie, Florida, police department said officers arrived at Smith’s residence at 4:40 PM ET on Sunday. They also noted that no one was taken into custody at the time, and there are conflicting reports on whether the situation remains under review or has been closed. The incident involves a woman named “Kristen” who claimed in a video she posted to Instagram that Geno “beat my a—" while also claiming he broke her computer. Smith can be seen in the video and is also seen speaking to police officers, but we don’t know much about the situation beyond that. The Jets have declined to comment on these reports at this time, but we’ll likely get more information on the matter in the near future. Smith joined the Jets on a one-year, $3.3 million contract this offseason and is expected to serve as the team’s QB1 in the second season under Aaron Glenn. ESPN’s Rich Cimini later reported that a police spokesperson said of the situation, “It is not an active case, but is still being reviewed before (a report) can be released.”

Reich bravely claimed, “I think his best football’s ahead of him.” Sure. Smith is coming off a year in which he ranked 29th in EPA per play, trailing only Cam Ward. He only appeared in 15 games and still led the NFL in sacks (55) and interceptions (17). A change in scenery was certainly in order for Geno, though he may be better off as a backup at this point in his career. With the Jets making an offer to Russell Wilson this week, it’s clear they aren’t satisfied with the state of their quarterback room. Geno can be penciled in as the Week 1 starter, but it’s unlikely he keeps that job through the end of the season.

CBS is reportedly interested in bringing Wilson on as an anayst, and we doubt they are the only network reaching out to the former Super Bowl champion. On the other hand, Wilson visited with the Jets just after the 2026 NFL Draft, and the team is willing to bring him on as their QB2. While it isn’t a glamorous job, it might be Wilson’s last shot at playing in the NFL. For now, Cade Klubnik, Bailey Zappe, and Brady Cook are all on the able as backup options for Geno Smith this year.

“There’s something about a quarterback with a chip on his shoulder,” Glenn said of Smith, who Glenn has already named as New York’s Week 1 starter. It’s difficult to say what the “promised land” might look like to a Jets team that has won 49 regular season games over the past ten years. Perhaps it means Smith, who struggled in Vegas last season, can make the Jets a respectable six or seven win team in 2026. It would be surprising if Smith remains New York’s starter throughout the year considering his lengthening injury history, his age, and the team’s need to see what they have in younger players as they prepare for what will likely be a post-Glenn rebuild.

There is “no doubt about it” per Glenn. As the Jets rotated through various starting quarterbacks last season, Glenn delayed naming the starting quarterback publicly until the end of the week on multiple occasions. Smith is coming off a rough year with the Raiders, but it’s clear that he was acquired via trade with the tacit agreement that he’d get the first chance. On Friday, ESPN’s Rich Cimini said he “would be a little surprised” if the Jets draft Alabama QB Ty Simpson with the No. 16 overall pick “because they have so many other needs” and possess three first-round picks in 2027. If the Jets load up on pass catchers via this year’s draft, we suppose Smith could work his way into QB2 consideration.

Cimini also believes the Jets do not feel “pressured” to draft a quarterback in 2026 because they have three first-round picks in 2027. That said, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, general manager Darren Mougey, OC Frank Reich and QB coach Bill Musgrave had dinner with Simpson last night and hosted him for a private workout today. The Jets hold the second, 16th, 33rd and 44th picks in this year’s draft. We certainly agree that the Jets have many needs, but finding a starting quarterback tops the list. Simpson could still end up in a Jets uniform next month.