Jets' Aaron Glenn makes early Geno Smith announcement for 2026 season

The New York Jets came into the 2026 NFL offseason with a massive hole at the quarterback position. While Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor were options, neither was likely to come back.

With Taylor still a free agent and Fields traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Jets will have a new starting quarterback in 2026. The front-runner was Geno Smith after the trade with the Las Vegas Raiders.

And according to Judy Battista of NFL Network, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn made an early announcement for who the planned starter is going to be in 2026. It's the obvious answer for the Jets.

Aaron Glenn makes starting QB announcement

"Jets coach Aaron Glenn, in conversation with @nflnetwork this morning, says definitively that Geno Smith is their starting quarterback," Battista reports.

This is a significant, but not surprising announcement for Glenn to make. Smith was the obvious front-runner to be the starting quarterback once the season began.

The former Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowler had a bad 19-touchdown and 17-interception 2025 season for the Raiders, but he should be able to turn things around in a better offense.

More: Geno Smith returning to Jets is ‘full circle’ moment for veteran QB

While the Jets might not be one of the top offensive units in the NFL next year, the offensive line is strong, and with Breece Hall at running back, Garrett Wilson and (likely) a highly-drafted wide receiver, along with tight end Mason Taylor, it's a solid group.

There are worse supporting casts around a quarterback in the NFL, including in the Jets' own division with the Miami Dolphins.

Smith is going to be the starter for the Jets in 2026, even if they wind up adding another veteran quarterback in free agency or the trade market.

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• Aaron Glenn predicted to add three QBs to NFL roster this offseason
• Jets deny Aaron Glenn was asleep at NFL Combine
• Nahshon Wright agrees to $5.5 million deal with Jets in steal by Darren Mougey
• Jets get bad news as Jaguars don’t look poised to trade Brian Thomas Jr. despite trade rumors
• Jets traded for Geno Smith instead of signing him in free agency to avoid worst-case-scenario
• Jets predicted to draft David Bailey No. 2 overall after offseason spending