Geno Smith sends heartfelt message on emotional Jets homecoming

It's a full circle moment for Geno.

Charlie Baduini

New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

After months of speculation, the New York Jets have finally landed on their starting quarterback for next season. Geno Smith, New York's 2013 second-round pick, is coming home for his second stint with the Jets.

The homecoming aspect is certainly going to pluck at Jets fans' heartstrings the most. It's been a long road for Smith since he and the Jets first parted ways, but now he's back, and hoping to make it clear that his NFL career isn't over just yet.

After all, this may be his last chance to prove he has what it takes to be a starting quarterback, and the last chance for Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey to prove they're the ones who can turn the Jets around.

Geno Smith excited for 'full circle moment' with Jets

In an interview with NFL insider Josina Anderson, Smith opened up on his return to New York and what drew him back to the Jets for his 13th season in the NFL.

"I'm so excited. It's a full circle moment for me. I can remember my last TD was to Quincy Enunwa right there at MetLife Stadium, the day I tore my ACL. That began my journey and it all led me back here where I started ... coach Glenn and I have been on the phone, he has a real plan. I believe in what they're doing over there. Just to be a part of that is going to be special."
Geno Smith

Jets fans should remember Smith's early days as a Jet. He was thrust into action in his rookie season thanks to a head-scratching decision to leave Mark Sanchez on the field late in a meaningless preseason game, where he ended up hurting his shoulder.

He'd go on to have an up-and-down rookie season, but would have incredible moments too, like leading the Jets on a game-winning drive on Monday Night Football over the Atlanta Falcons.

Of course, there's also the memory of Smith getting his jaw broken by IK Enemkpali, losing the starting job to Ryan Fitzpatrick. The West Virginia product tried his best to earn it back, but tore his ACL when given the chance in 2016.

After bouncing around the league as a backup and runs as a starter with the Seattle Seahawks and Raiders, Smith is back in the saddle in New York and is excited to be playing for a team "that's going to believe" in him.

He told Anderson that the Raiders gave him the option of staying on in a mentor role, but Smith still believes he has a lot left to give, and a phone call with Aaron Glenn convinced him that the Jets were the best landing spot.

It's an emotional reunion for the Jets and Smith, and all parties are hoping it leads to success in 2026.

Charlie Baduini

Charlie Baduini covers the New York Jets as a site expert for The Jet Press and FanSided. He is a sports journalist based in Northern New Jersey with a wide variety of sports reporting experience in print and broadcast journalism. Baduini’s byline can also be seen on Heavy and The Sporting News, where he covers several teams across the NFL and NBA. His work has been featured in Heavy, Athlon Sports, The Sporting News, Yahoo Sports, MSN, and Yardbarker. He also serves as a seasonal intern for ESPN, working as a production assistant for the Heisman Trophy Ceremony every year since 2022. Baduini has been a Jets fan for as long as he can remember, with his family's fandom dating back to the 1960s when his grandfather, Louis, became a season ticket holder. His family has since held on to the tickets to this day. He is an avid fan of the New York Knicks and New York Mets.