Content available exclusively for subscribers
Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich met with the New York media on Wednesday for a few minutes.
It was the first time he was made available since he was hired on February 4.
One comment he made that made big news, in a slow time on the NFL calendar, is what he said about QB Geno Smith and how he fits Reich’s system.
“I think he fits perfect,” Reich said. “I’ve liked Geno from Day 1. When he was coming out of West Virginia I had a high grade on Geno.”
One thing I try not to do while covering the NFL is being a parakeet, just repeating what people I cover say without critical analysis.
And before I continue, I want to make it clear, I have tremendous respect for Reich, and think the Jets made a great hire.
Here goes.
Not sure it’s apropos to call an NFL QB, who has a 42-56 lifetime record as a starter, who has been on five different teams, as a “perfect” fit for any system.
As Bill Parcells used to say, “You are what your record says it is.”
A better word might be “servicable.”
And I have no issue with the Jets bringing Smith.
When it comes to answers at QB on the NFL level, it’s slim pickings these days, and like I’ve written ad infinitum, if the Jets can get the player who went 9-8, 8-7, and 10-7 during his three years as Seattle’s starter from 2022-24, they would sign up for that.
I understand that a team’s goal every year should be to win the Super Bowl, but since the Jets have missed the playoffs 14 straight years, and have not had a winning record since 2015, if a starting QB would lead them to any of those records Smith led Seattle to, and have them compete for a wildcard, why not throw him the car keys?
But as a journeyman QB, not sure the word “perfect” should be used as a fit with any team.
Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are perfect fits for where they play, but Smith is a steady game-manager who can keep you around .500.
It is what it is.
“I’d not met Geno before here and I’m kind of glad because I’m even more impressed with him now meeting him in person,” Reich said. “I feel his resilience, his toughness, I always think the No. 1 attribute in any quarterback that you need, especially if you want to come and turn something around, is you need someone who’s tough. I mean tough mentally, tough physically, and I feel that from Geno on every front.”
There is no questioning Geno’s toughness. Over the past two years, he was sacked 105 times, including 55 times last year behind an awful line in Las Vegas, playing most of the year without their franchise left tackle, Kolton Miller.
Smith has always been a guy who takes a licking and keeps on ticking, to borrow a line from an old Timex Watch commercial. The guy is tough as hell.
Reich could be the best coordinator Smith has ever had, which will certainly help his game.
But I’m not sure if he could be described as a “perfect” fit.
His career so far would lead you to use other words.
But there is nothing wrong with Reich pumping up his new QB. That is smart.
However, in breaking down his comments, I wanted to avoid being a parakeet.
May 7, 2026
Premium will return by 9:30 pm (or sooner) on Friday.
