Geno Smith struggles mightily to open joint practice with Buccaneers

Throughout the first week of training camp, there's arguably been no bigger standout on offense for the New York Jets than veteran quarterback Geno Smith. There were several days of practice where it was reported that the football hardly touched the turf.

Unfortunately, that has not been the case early in the Jets' first joint practice against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as reporters on the scene in Florham Park are saying Smith is having quite a bad day.

It's a disappointing development for Smith, who, before facing this Bucs defense, was having a productive training camp. Is that a testament to how good Tampa Bay's defense is, or do the Jets have a problem on their hands with their own defense?

SNY's Connor Hughes reported about midway through practice that Smith had completed eight of 13 pass attempts, thrown two interceptions, and taken two sacks. The ex-Jets draft pick hasn't completed a pass longer than seven or eight yards.

Geno Smith's bad day at New York Jets-Tampa Bay Buccaneers joint practice

Smith has actually thrown three interceptions so far on Tuesday, the first falling in the hands of former Aaron Glenn pupil and Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone. It was called off due to a holding penalty on the Buccaneers defense.

Then, Smith threw a pick-six roughly 10 minutes later. It may not have been entirely his fault, considering star wide receiver Garrett Wilson fell down while running a route.

Regardless, the sloppy operation of the Jets' offense today is discouraging. This was supposed to be the strong suit for New York heading into practice with Tampa Bay, considering the state of their defense.

Not only are they missing their best player up front with Vita Vea's ongoing contract dispute, but they have several unproven players in their secondary fighting for starting jobs.

Now, it's not time to sound the alarms just yet. This is Smith's first practice facing external competition, and it's possible he's just struggling to adjust to a different defensive look.

But that's the glass-half-full outlook. There is also the possibility that Smith is starting to show his age as a 35-year-old journeyman veteran, and this is just what Jets fans should expect from their quarterback in 2026.

Thankfully, there's still time for Smith to redeem himself. There's another full practice tomorrow and a preseason game on Friday evening to continue working out the kinks.

Hopefully today is the anomaly, and not the norm.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow