Geno Smith has done enough to earn the Jets' 2027 starting quarterback job

At 2-6, the New York Jets are a bad football team. Bill Parcells used to say, "You are what your record says you are," and for as much talent as the team boasts, they are a losing team.

If you're cutting up slices of the blame pie, there are certainly many individuals who deserve varying degrees of culpability. One member of the Jets you can't shovel any fault onto? Veteran quarterback Geno Smith.

He hasn't been perfect, and it's not like he's an MVP candidate or anything, but Smith is playing quarterback for the Jets in a way fans haven't seen since Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2015. This past weekend against the Raiders, Smith completed 20-of-32 attempts for 290 yards and two touchdowns. His lone interception came on a last-second prayer in the back corner of the end zone.

Regardless, Smith has been one of the things keeping the Jets in their games this season, and it's scary to think about just how bad things would be without him. At a bare minimum, he's earned the right to be the starting quarterback for at least another season.

Geno Smith should be the New York Jets' Week 1 starter in 2027

The Jets are going to draft a quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft. They have three first-round picks next April, and it's almost a given that at least one of them will be used on one of college football's top prospects.

But unlike with Zach Wilson and Sam Darnold, the Jets should learn from their past mistakes and have a veteran in front of said rookie to show him the ropes and not throw an inexperienced youngster to the wolves in Week 1.

Enter Smith. Not only has he played well enough this year to warrant being the Jets' starter in 2027, but he's likely to have suitors in the offseason from teams looking to compete for the playoffs. New York may have to pay up to keep him in the fold, regardless of who is calling the shots.

Geno Smith on pace for a historic season in New York Jets history

As things currently stand, Smith is on track to record one of the best quarterback seasons in Jets history. If he keeps his weekly averages as is, he'll throw for 4,065 passing yards (most in team history) and 26 touchdowns (fifth-most).

His 69% completion percentage and 4.33 touchdown-to-interception ratio would also be the best marks in franchise history. All of that culminates in one easy observation.

The Jets need to make sure Smith is back in the mix in 2027. Not only will he give them a chance to remain competent offensively, but he'll be a great mentor for whoever the Jets deem their next hopeful franchise savior.

He went through the ordeal himself when the Jets drafted him back in 2013.

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