Geno Smith has unexpectedly given the Jets something Chargers and Patriots crave

We’re less than a month into the 2026 NFL season, and it’s already a very bad time for healthy franchise quarterbacks. 

Luckily for the New York Jets, this is one of those instances where they should be happy Geno Smith is under center. 

We mean that respectfully, of course. But when you look around the league at how some of the premier — and highly compensated — quarterbacks have fared, Smith suddenly looks like one of the league’s top bargains. 

And while we’re not saying Smith is a better quarterback than Justin Herbert or Drake Maye, there’s no denying that the Los Angeles Chargers or New England Patriots are likely craving the stability that the 14-year vet has provided the Jets. 

Super Bowl contenders should be envious that the New York Jets have Geno Smith

Hey, there’s no bias here. Smith hasn’t turned the ball over in three games, and he’s done an excellent job managing the pressure of his return to New York. 

Compare that to some of the other quarterback situations happening leaguewide:

• Justin Herbert’s Chargers and C.J. Stroud’s Houston Texans are 0-3, and the latter still hasn’t secured a new contract. As for Herbert, he hasn’t proven he’s an “elite” quarterback rather than a top-10 player closer to No. 10 than No. 5. 
• Maye went viral for crying during last week’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. 
• Philadelphia Eagles fans still don’t trust Jalen Hurts, though at least they enter Week 4 at 2-1.  
• The Tennessee Titans felt Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll could help develop Cam Ward. Oops. 

Outside of Tennessee, all of those teams entered the season with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. The Texans were widely considered among the AFC’s top teams, and the Eagles still have a championship-caliber roster. 

That’s not even factoring in the Washington Commanders and New York Giants, both of whom are facing questions about Jayden Daniels and Jaxson Dart’s long-term viability as franchise quarterbacks. Daniels has played five full games since the start of last year, and Dart — who has been evaluated for concussions at least six times over a 13-month period — recently landed on injured reserve with a knee injury. 

And then you have Smith. The man who led the NFL in interceptions last year still hasn’t thrown a pick yet. He’s only a week away from turning 36, yet has looked right at home in a new offense. Teammates and coaches have spent months raving about the leadership he’s brought to a team that’s spent far too long playing quarterback carousel. 

“He’s a warrior, man,” tight end Jeremy Ruckert said. “He’s a field general. We have the utmost confidence in him.”

Something tells us you won’t be hearing fans say similar things about Herbert or Maye with Week 4 losses. 

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