FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- When the New York Jets traded for Geno Smith in March, bringing him back to where he started his career in 2013, it prompted a loud groan from their quarterback-scarred fanbase.
Smith 1.0 doesn't evoke fond memories for Jets fans, and his performance last season for the Las Vegas Raiders was so uneven that the franchise was willing to eat $16 million of his 2026 salary to have him play elsewhere.
Desperate for a bridge starter, the Jets took on the reclamation project, hoping he could recapture his Seattle Seahawks form -- circa 2022 when he led passers with over 100 attempts in completion percentage (69.8) -- and provide stability at their most unstable position.
Through three games, Smith, 35, has exceeded expectations in New York, giving off early comeback-season vibes.
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"He's a warrior, man," tight end Jeremy Ruckert said. "He's a field general. We have the utmost confidence in him."
Smith's completion rating (75.5%) ranks second in the NFL, and he's giving credence to the slogan, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" -- which is to say, he's not throwing interceptions like he did as a member of the Raiders.
After a league-high 17 interceptions last season, Smith has yet to throw one in 102 pass attempts. The last time he went three straight games without a pick was the final three games of the 2023 season, his second year as the Seahawks' starter.
There's a lot of season left, but it's worth noting that Smith is putting up numbers that would rank among the best passing seasons in franchise history.
Disclaimer: It's not a glittering history. Beyond franchise icon Joe Namath, there's only a sprinkling of above-average to excellent seasons over the last half-century.
Only two players passed for 3,000 yards, 20 touchdowns and a 65% completion rate in the same season -- Chad Pennington (2002) and Brett Favre (2008). Mind you, these aren't extraordinary benchmarks. In today's NFL, they represent a solid season. In Favre's case, he had as many touchdown passes (22) as interceptions, which blemishes his season.
With 783 yards and four touchdowns, Smith is on pace to blow away those marks. Of course, perspective is important.