Jets' Geno Smith silencing critics of his QB1 status with impressive drive in first preseason start

Geno Smith needed this one. The last two weeks, really beginning with the joint practices against old friend Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers, weren't kind to the Jets' quarterback. Turnovers, an ankle injury and inaccuracies expectedly brought forth cries to end his second stint in New York before it began.

Smith silenced them all on Friday.

The 35-year-old was perfect playing one series in the Jets' 17-0 win over the Steelers. He marched the offense 69 yards in 10 plays, completing all seven of his attempts for 65 yards. He capped the drive with a 13-yard touchdown to Jealani Woods.

Geno did what I expect him to do," said Aaron Glenn.

Smith took a shot early. It didn't faze him. The Steelers pressured him. He moved in and around the pocket to aid his offensive line. Facing a third-and-nine and a third-and-six, Smith connected with Mason Taylor and Garrett Wilson for gains of 10 yards apiece.

It was everything you hoped to see from Smith, who should have silenced some who doubted his position atop the depth chart.

The unknown provides hope in the NFL - which is exactly what many see in Cade Klubnik. The Jets used one of their two fourth-round picks on the Clemson quarterback in this year's draft. He's flashed some this summer - dazzling with his strong arm as the Jets' QB2. He made the start for the Jets in their preseason opener against the Bucs as Smith nursed his ankle.

Klubnik completed five of seven passes for 56 yards and led the Jets to 10 points on two possessions. This week at practice, Klubnik worked with Wilson, Armand Membou, Olu Fashanu and others - valuable experience if he's forced to play when games matter.

But as Smith's practice struggles mounted, so too did the desire for New York to turn things over to the rookie. Smith's drive against Pittsburgh illustrated the ridiculousness of that notion.

Klubnik has talent, but he is very much a developmental project whose ceiling still projects as that of a backup. He relieved Smith on Friday. He finished 10 of 14 for 75 yards, but his five possessions resulted in three punts, a missed field goal and a turnover on downs.

Smith, while older, is still just a year removed from a 4,320-yard, 21-touchdown campaign with Seattle. Last year wasn't good with the Raiders, but nor was his supporting cast.

Felt good to be out there with the guys," Smith said. "Obviously we got one drive in, but we scored a touchdown. You always want to start fast, so that was a good thing. Definitely a lot of room for improvement. Looking forward to getting back to practice and getting to work."

Smith now has the best protection since his years with the Seahawks - and maybe better. He has a litany of playmakers at his disposal in Wilson, AD Mitchell, Omar Cooper, Kenyon Sadiq, Taylor, Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. He has competence in his ear with new coordinator Frank Reich.

The Jets can't wait to see how it plays out when the games count.

Here are a few more thoughts from the game ...

-David Bailey continues to beat whoever lines up in front of him. He's given Fashanu fits all summer. The Bucs had no answer for him in their joint practices. Now, against the Steelers, he had his first sack when he fought past Broderick Jones to bring down Will Howard. Jones has had his issues (on field and medically), but a rookie easily cruising past a veteran with 38 starts is noteworthy. It's yet another example of Bailey making a seamless transition to the NFL.

-The Jets started Isaiah Williams against the Bucs. It was rookie Omar Cooper against the Steelers. Cooper, the No. 30 pick in the draft, hasn't had a great summer. He's struggled to make his presence felt and acclimate himself to the NFL. Cooper didn't catch a pass from Smith, but finished with one grab for nine yards. Williams, who also played, caught three for 17. He fumbled in the first half, too, but the Jets got on top of it.

-The Jets picked off a pass! Andre Cisco jumped a throw from Howard in the first half. It marked the first interception by the Jets since Aug. 22, 2025 - Malachi Moore got Kyle McCord in the preseason final against Philadelphia. Samuel Womack also had an interception. In 2025, the Jets became the first team in NFL history to not intercept a pass in the regular season.

-Corner Brandon Stephens had a nice pass breakup in the first half while Harrison Phillips broke through for a tackle for loss. The secondary and interior defensive line are two question marks entering 2026. That was good to see.