The best-case scenario for a QB is to be in the same offensive system for many years.
Geno Smith has lost count of how many systems he’s been in, during his long NFL career, now entering his 14th season, but his recent history is enough to make any QB’s head spin.
“I know recently, just the past four years, I’ve been in four different offenses the last four seasons,” Smith said.
Over the last four years, he played under OC’s Shane Waldron (2023 – Seattle), Ryan Grubbs (2024-Seattle), Chip Kelly (2025 – Las Vegas), and now Frank Reich (2026 – Jets).
Actually, he’s had five coordinators over the last four years, because Kelly was fired on November 23, 2025, and replaced by Greg Olson.
In football, it’s ideal to be in the same playbook for a long time, so the play-calls and terminology become second-nature, and you can play freely, without overthinking.
Tom Brady was in the same offensive system for almost his entire 20-year stint in New England. How’d that work out?
But Smith feels there is a silver lining to being in so many different systems.
“I feel like it’s helped me, because I’ve had to learn a number of different systems and different terminology and different ways to execute,” Smith said.
But not just for Smith, but for all the Jets’ offensive skill position players, it would be ideal if, moving forward, if they can stay in the same offense for a few years in a row.
Think about how many different systems guys like WR Garrett Wilson and RB Breece Hall have been in.
In the NFL, continuity is king.
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