Geno Smith Trade and Contract Terms
The New York Jets traded for quarterback Geno Smith on Tuesday. The Jets are sending a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for Smith and a 2026 seventh-rounder, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. To facilitate the trade, Smith renegotiated his contract, a source told ESPN. The Raiders, originally on the hook for $18.5 million, will pay him $16.2 million. The Jets will pay the difference, plus a $1 million raise -- a total of $3.3 million. All told, Smith will make $19.5 million. Before restructuring, the deal had two years and $66 million remaining, including $18.5 million guaranteed.
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Fantasy Football Impact for Geno Smith with the New York Jets
After a nine-year separation, the Jets and Smith are together again.
According to ESPN.com's Rich Cimini, Smith will be the Jets' starting quarterback, a job he held for the Jets from 2013 to the 2015 preseason -- until a teammate punched him in a locker room dispute that resulted in a fractured jaw.
Smith last played for the Jets in the 2016 season. His 12 wins as a starting quarterback with the franchise are still tied for third-most, dating back to his rookie year in 2013.
"Complete full circle moment back to where it all began," Smith told NFL Network in a text. "I'm excited to connect with my new teammates and coaches and everyone in the building, as well as build a new relationship with the fan base and community."
It's worth noting that if the Jets had waited until 4:00 pm on Wednesday for him to be released, they could've signed him for $1.3 million, the veteran's minimum. But they would've faced competition for him. The Minnesota Vikings were known to be interested.
Smith's best season was 2022, when he passed for 30 touchdowns and 4,282 yards and led the Seahawks to the playoffs. Smith made the Pro Bowl again in 2023, but his play has declined since.
In fact, he's coming off one of his worst seasons.
Then-Raiders coach Pete Carroll pushed the Raiders to trade for Smith and to sign him to a two-year, $75 million contract extension.
Smith never lived up to Carroll's expectations, throwing for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-high 17 interceptions. But the interceptions last season weren't a new problem. Smith leads the league in interceptions (32) over his past two seasons.
Nonetheless, the Jets hope he can recapture that 2022 and 2023 form, when he threw 50 touchdown passes.
Fantasy investors should temper any enthusiasm that might creep into the back of their minds.
While this is good news for a 35-year-old quarterback seeking such an opportunity, the Jets' situation -- one that chewed up and spit out Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and undrafted rookie Brady Cook in 2025 -- is unfortunately similar to the one Smith endured in Las Vegas.
There are, however, some pieces that can help Smith.
Breece Hall is returning to New York on the franchise tag. Star receiver Garrett Wilson has been dominant when healthy, and second-year tight end Mason Taylor is coming off a promising rookie season. Despite playing with three different quarterbacks, the 21-year-old recorded a team-high 44 receptions for 369 yards (second on the team) and a touchdown.
With his current QB27 Footballguys projection unlikely to move much, Smith will almost certainly go undrafted this summer. But having a starting job is worth something in Superflex or deeper leagues, especially when injury and other attrition hit as the season plays out.
