Frank Reich's glowing praise of Geno Smith is everything Jets fans want to hear

The New York Jets are placing an inordinate amount of responsibility for their success in the 2026 season on the back of quarterback Geno Smith and offensive coordinator Frank Reich. In both cases, New York is hoping that their most recent NFL seasons (Geno's 2025 with the Las Vegas Raiders, Reich's 2023 with the Carolina Panthers) are aberrations.

The Jets are clearly planning to run a more open passing offense than what Justin Fields forced them into last season, and both Smith and Reich need to be operating at peak efficiency to make this vision work. Reich sounds smitten with the former Jets second-round pick, as their relationship appears to be off to a great start.

"I am just so impressed by Geno," Reich said to reporters on Wednesday. "I cannot express that enough...Everybody has a lot to prove, but, man, he is on point; his preparation is top-notch. His football mind is elite." Smith will need to show he still has it on the field, but he is clearly making a very impressive first impression on this coaching staff.

Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich showers QB Geno Smith in praise

Smith is fresh off a year in which he threw just 19 touchdowns against 17 interceptions in Las Vegas. He didn't help himself very much in this regard, but those numbers came under a lame-duck coaching staff with a horrendous offensive line. Smith could get back to his Seattle days with superior help around him.

Reich has not coached in the NFL since his year with Carolina in 2023. His most recent gig was as the interim head coach at Stanford. His offenses struggled, but NIL robbed him of some elite talents. Some coaches are just better attuned to the pro game, and Reich numbers among them.

The Jets' offense is not only built to be more pass-happy this year, as they used top NFL Draft picks to add Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. in April, but it's built to last. After extending right guard Joe Tippmann, Smith is the only player on the offense not under contract for the 2027 season.

Smith is not going to give the Jets any sort of long-term answer at the quarterback position, but if he and Reich gel well and the new weapons replicate their strong start in OTAs, Geno might have all he needs to give this offense the shot in the arm they needed.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow