As the New York Jets continue to struggle through another disappointing season, plagued by poor quarterback play and a seemingly endless cycle of frustration, Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks is thriving in his new role, guiding his team to a potential playoff berth. In a dramatic and hard-fought victory against his former team, Smith’s performance not only secured a crucial win for the Seahawks but also served as a bitter reminder of what could have been for the Jets. For the long-suffering Jets fanbase, this comeback felt like another cruel slap in the face, reinforcing their pain as they watch a former player thrive while their own team falters.
The Seahawks found themselves in an early 21-7 hole, but Smith led a determined charge to claw back into the game. With composure and poise, he orchestrated a comeback, ultimately lifting his team to a 26-21 victory. Smith’s stats—20 completions on 31 attempts, 206 passing yards, and a touchdown—are far from flashy, but they were more than enough to seal the win. His leadership has been invaluable, pushing the Seahawks to a 7-5 record, while his old team, the Jets, has now slipped to a dismal 3-9. With the Jets’ season effectively over, their focus is likely turning toward finding a new quarterback for the future, especially considering the Aaron Rodgers experiment has all but collapsed. For Smith, who has revitalized his career in Seattle, the idea of returning to New York appears to be far from his mind, as his latest online posts suggest a deep and lasting disdain for the franchise that drafted him.
After the victory, Smith shared a meme on social media that would be immediately recognizable to those familiar with the internet culture of Gen-Z. The meme depicts a person attending the funeral of one of their biggest detractors just to confirm that they are, in fact, dead. It’s a metaphorical statement of triumph over one’s enemies, and for Smith, it’s a subtle yet pointed jab at the Jets—a franchise that gave him little to no support during his years there. The meme wasn’t just a playful quip; it was a statement, a moment of vindication, as if to say, “I’ve come out on top, and I’m doing just fine without you.” The tweet was a perfect encapsulation of the bitterness Smith likely still feels toward the organization that failed to nurture his talent.
While Smith’s touchdown-to-interception ratio in his first season under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb isn’t perfect, it’s worth noting that Smith’s resurgence in Seattle has been one of the most remarkable stories in recent NFL history. Before this season, Smith was viewed by many as a journeyman quarterback, someone who would never truly reach the heights many had once hoped for. However, he has silenced those critics, proving himself to be a capable leader and a legitimate starting quarterback. Heading into this game, Smith was leading the NFC in passing yards, a testament to his ability to produce at a high level. And now, with the Seahawks standing at 7-5, Smith has positioned the team to potentially host a playoff game, a remarkable feat in his first season under new head coach Mike Macdonald. This is just the latest chapter in a story of redemption for Smith, who has now become a central figure in Seattle’s playoff aspirations.
Contrast that with Smith’s time in New York, where his career seemed to spiral into irrelevance. During his four years with the Jets, including two seasons as the starting quarterback, Smith’s numbers were abysmal—28 touchdown passes against 36 interceptions. His time in New York was marred by a dysfunctional offense, lackluster coaching, and a severe lack of talent around him. The Jets were simply a broken organization during Smith’s tenure, with offensive lines that couldn’t protect him and receiving corps that couldn’t catch a pass if their lives depended on it. Smith was often criticized for his play, but the reality is that he was fighting an uphill battle with little to no support. Despite these challenges, Smith did show glimpses of potential, but they were often overshadowed by the chaos surrounding him.
Now, in Seattle, Smith has become a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, and his career revival is one of the feel-good stories of the NFL. His performance in Seattle has earned him accolades and respect from around the league, with his leadership, maturity, and ability to execute in big moments setting him apart from the player he was in New York. Not only has Smith revived his own career, but he’s also positioned the Seahawks to make a deep playoff run, perhaps even to the Super Bowl. This is the same player who once struggled in New York, and yet, in Seattle, he’s flourishing in an offense that plays to his strengths, with a well-constructed supporting cast and a coaching staff that believes in him.
In contrast, the Jets find themselves stuck in a perpetual state of uncertainty. The franchise has long been in search of a stable quarterback, and it seems that with the collapse of the Aaron Rodgers experiment, they are once again back to square one. Despite the high hopes and optimism surrounding Rodgers’ arrival, the Jets’ offense has continued to falter, and their playoff chances are quickly slipping away. The team will likely not be bad enough to secure a top quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, such as Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, but they will certainly need to find a new QB1 if they part ways with Rodgers, who is likely to retire or move on due to his injury struggles. Meanwhile, Smith is thriving in Seattle, and with his recent success, he will likely remain the Seahawks’ starting quarterback for the foreseeable future—leaving the Jets to wonder what could have been.
Smith’s journey is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the NFL. A player who was once written off as a bust and left to languish in the shadows has now become one of the most respected quarterbacks in the league. He’s not only proved his doubters wrong, but he’s also earned the right to take shots at those who never believed in him. As for Jets fans, once again, they find themselves on the receiving end of a harsh reality: watching a former player who was once their future quarterback now thrive elsewhere while their own franchise continues to flounder. It’s a painful reminder of missed opportunities, and one that will likely sting for years to come.