Geno Smith reflects fondly upon his ‘awesome’ time with Jets

Geno Smith isn’t harvesting any ill will over the way things played out for him during his time with the Jets.

New York selected Smith in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft hoping that he would develop into a franchise quarterback. Smith showed flashes of greatness right off the bat, but he was unable to produce consistently and fell behind the eight ball early in his career.

Smith was set to receive one last chance to succeed with the Jets under offensive coordinator Chan Gailey in 2015. Then IK Enempkali threw the punch heard around Florham Park to Smith’s jaw, shattering it and effectively ending his stint with the team that drafted him. Ryan Fitzpatrick took over under center in Smith’s absence.

Now 32 and starting for the Seahawks with Russell Wilson injured, Smith reflected on his Jets career with an appreciation for everything that transpired during his time in New Jersey — including all of the turmoil that came along with it. In addition to the Enempkali punch, Smith has traded barbs with former coach Rex Ryan since both left New York.

“It was awesome for me,” Smith told ESPN’s Brady Henderson. “Any time you get adversity, it’s a chance for you to really show what you’re about and to respond. At the time, looking back on it, in that moment, was I totally aware of that? Probably not, but as you go on and you just grow, you just see how those things can help you and shape you to be better. I think that’s what it did.”

Smith struggled with the Jets, but there is a reason why he has been able to stick around as a backup for so long. The former West Virginia star has been with the Seahawks since 2019 after stints with the Giants and Chargers. He went 23-32 for 209 yards, one touchdown and a costly fumble in Seattle’s Week 6 loss to the Steelers, his latest draft-impacting appearance in place of the injured Wilson.

The younger version of Smith might not have been able to endure sitting on the bench for years in between starts. He fell just short of leading the Seahawks to a win against the Steelers on Sunday night, but the Garden State toughness he developed during his time with the Jets has him positioned to keep Seattle competitive until Wilson returns.

“Just sitting here and knowing I have the capability to play in this league but just not getting that opportunity for a number of years was a test of patience,” Smith said.

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