Trending Now - Geno Smith Returns to Jets, Fueled by Past Challenges

WHO:

Braden Smith, offensive tackle; Houston Texans; Indianapolis Colts; Michael Perrett, agent; Jonathan Taylor, running back.

Geno Smith, quarterback; New York Jets; Las Vegas Raiders; Justin Fields, quarterback; IK Enemkpali, linebacker; Adam Schefter, ESPN reporter; Albert Breer, sports journalist.

Geno Smith, quarterback; New York Jets; Las Vegas Raiders; Justin Fields, quarterback; IK Enemkpali, linebacker; Adam Schefter, ESPN reporter.

Geno Smith, quarterback; Las Vegas Raiders; New York Jets; Justin Fields, quarterback; Tyler Linderbaum, center; Fernando Mendoza, former Indiana quarterback; Albert Breer, sports journalist.

WHAT:

Braden Smith reached an agreement with the Houston Texans on a two-year contract worth $25 million, which includes $13.5 million fully guaranteed.

Smith started 13 games for the Colts at right tackle in the 2025 season after returning from a mental health hiatus.

Geno Smith had a record of 2-13 in 15 starts during his season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025.

Smith threw 17 interceptions in the 2025 season, the most he had in a season since his rookie year in 2013.

Smith's 3,025 passing yards in 2025 was the second-lowest output of his career, behind only 2,525 yards in 2014.

Smith's QBR of 34.1 in 2025 was the lowest in his career among seasons in which he started at least two games.

The Raiders finished the 2025 season with a 3-14 record, tied for the worst in the NFL.

Smith has a career record of 42-56 as a starter in the NFL, with 124 touchdowns and 89 interceptions.

The Jets are expected to move on from Justin Fields, who started nine games in the 2025 season before being benched.

The Jets hold the second selection in the 2026 NFL Draft and the 16th selection.

The Raiders are widely expected to select former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Jets traded for Geno Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

Smith's contract was adjusted; he was due to make $26.5 million in 2026.

Smith expressed excitement about returning to the Jets, stating, "Complete full circle moment back to where it all began."

The Las Vegas Raiders agreed to trade Geno Smith to the New York Jets.

The Jets received a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, while the Raiders received a sixth-round pick.

Geno Smith will make a total of $19.5 million this season, with the Raiders paying $16.2 million and the Jets paying $3.3 million.

The Raiders are saving $2.3 million compared to what they would have paid if they had cut Smith.

Smith's contract extension guaranteed him $18.5 million.

WHERE:

Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada; MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.

WHEN:

The agreement with Braden Smith was reported on March 10th, 2026.

The trade agreement was reported on March 10th, 2026, and Smith passed a physical on the same day.

The trade was reported on March 10th, 2026, and Smith passed a physical on the same day.

The trade agreement was reported on March 10th, 2026.

The new league year opens on March 11th, 2026.

Geno Smith was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

WHY:

The Texans are addressing their offensive line needs after trading offensive tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns and interior lineman Juice Scruggs to the Detroit Lions.

The Raiders aimed to avoid paying $18.5 million in guaranteed money for 2026 by trading Smith, as they wished to move on from a contract they regretted agreeing to a year ago.

The Raiders aimed to avoid paying $18.5 million in guaranteed money for 2026 by trading Smith.

The Raiders wished to move on from a contract they regretted agreeing to a year ago.

The trade allows the Raiders to gain a higher draft pick while offloading Smith's contract.

HOW:

Smith's contract extension in 2021 made him the highest-paid right tackle at that time.

The Jets and Smith agreed to a renegotiated contract to facilitate the trade, which had two years and $66 million remaining on it, including $18.5 million guaranteed.

The Jets and Smith agreed to a renegotiated contract to facilitate the trade.

The trade was executed rather than releasing Smith, allowing both teams to adjust their rosters and salary cap implications.

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 13:21 UTC)

In a significant move for their offensive line, the Houston Texans have reached an agreement with Braden Smith on a two-year contract worth $25 million, which includes $13.5 million fully guaranteed. Smith, who started 13 games for the Indianapolis Colts last season after a mental health hiatus, was signed following the Texans' trades of offensive tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns and interior lineman Juice Scruggs to the Detroit Lions. This deal was reported on March 10, 2026, and comes after Smith's previous contract extension in 2021 made him the highest-paid right tackle at that time.

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 11:10 UTC)

In a challenging season with the Las Vegas Raiders, Geno Smith finished with a record of 2 wins and 13 losses in 15 starts during 2025, marking the team's overall performance at a dismal 3-14, tied for the worst in the NFL. Smith threw 17 interceptions, the highest number since his rookie year in 2013, and his 3,025 passing yards were the second-lowest of his career, just ahead of his 2014 season. With a QBR of 34.1, the lowest among seasons where he started at least two games, Smith's career record now stands at 42 wins and 56 losses, along with 124 touchdowns and 89 interceptions.

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 07:17 UTC)

In a significant move, the New York Jets are expected to part ways with quarterback Justin Fields, who started nine games last season before being benched. This decision comes as the Jets hold the second and sixteenth picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, while the Las Vegas Raiders are anticipated to select former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. The trade agreement was reported on March 10, and Geno Smith passed a physical on the same day, with the Jets and Smith renegotiating his contract to facilitate the deal, which had two years and $66 million remaining, including $18.5 million guaranteed.

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 03:40 UTC)

In a significant move, the New York Jets have traded for quarterback Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders, along with a 2026 seventh-round pick, in exchange for a sixth-round pick. Smith, who expressed his excitement about returning to the Jets, had his contract adjusted after passing a physical on March 10, allowing him to avoid a hefty $26.5 million salary in 2026. The Raiders made this trade to sidestep paying $18.5 million in guaranteed money for the upcoming season.

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 01:30 UTC)

In a significant move reported last Monday, the Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to trade quarterback Geno Smith to the New York Jets, who will also receive a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, while the Raiders will get a sixth-round pick. Smith, who will earn a total of $19.5 million this season, will see the Raiders cover $16.2 million of that amount, allowing them to save $2.3 million compared to cutting him outright. This trade, executed just as the new league year opens today, reflects the Raiders' desire to move on from a contract they regretted and gives both teams a chance to adjust their rosters and salary cap implications.