You are giving the Geno Smith trade a C? It’s an F. It’s dysfunctional. He was terrible on the Jets. Had some success when he left and will be terrible again. Why go back to something that has demonstrated failure? He is going into his age 36 season. He was 2-13 last year with the hapless Raiders. He ranked 35 out of 42 in passer rating, and lower in QBR. He threw 17 interceptions and was sacked 55 times. Leading the league in both categories. There’s nothing interesting or exciting about this. Maybe the Jets plan on activating Ray Lucas to be the starter? — Billy Z, Brooklyn, NY.
I feel your pain. There’s no doubt that the return of Geno Smith is triggering to many New York Jets’ fans. His first tour was a disaster and even his biggest supporter would not term this trade “exciting”. As I said in the rant you are referencing — “New York Jets: Grading Every Offseason Move” — I didn’t want Smith in 2013, never imagined a reunion, and wish the Jets had better options. They did not.
My top free agent choice Malik Willis wanted to join his former Green Bay Packers coach Jeff Haley in Miami. I lobbied for the Jets to trade for Mac Jones thinking the San Francisco 49ers would accept a fourth-round pick in April, and a performance-based conditional pick in 2027. The Jets were not looking to make a splash with this move. They simply wanted to add a competent starting QB that is capable of throwing the ball downfield — something Justin Fields was unable to do in 2025.
Smith clearly regressed in 2025 with the Las Vegas Raiders, but he was playing behind a banged-up offensive line, and for an offensive coordinator in Chip Kelly who has never been able to translate his college success to the NFL. Most importantly, Smith is not being asked to be the Jets’ savior, just a bridge to their next franchise quarterback.
The New York Rangers last home game is on Wednesday, April 8 against Buffalo. Since Sam Carrick will be at MSG wearing a Sabres uniform, wouldn’t it be cool to present him with the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award? — Nicky F. Manhattan.
I’ll give you an “A” for creativity, but, unfortunately, while you can vote Brendan Brisson (3 games), Sam Carrick (60 games) does not appear on the ballot. But I agree with you, if he still was on the team, he would be the obvious choice for the award.
Carrick arrived as a journeyman free agent signee in July 2024, and he earned the trust of two coaching staffs and the Garden faithful. This year, he really stepped up when Matt Rempe went down and showed a willingness to fight heavyweights to defend his teammates. While he won’t win the award, he should receive a very loud ovation when he returns with the Atlantic Division leaders on April 8.
With Carrick ineligible, I’m casting my vote for Mika Zibanejad. The 2018-19 and 2019-20 winner has been the Blueshirts most consistent player on both ends of the ice. His signature 200-foot game, offensive flair, and ability to raise the level of his linemates has not only been impressive — it’s currently hurting the Rangers draft lottery odds (see Alexis Lafreniere and Gabe Perreault).
You can cast your vote for the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award by clicking on this link.
The RantBack Digital Mailbag is a periodic feature where SportsRantNY readers get to pose questions, make comments or just get something off their chests. Last names are withheld to protect the innocent.
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Calling Geno Smith a “bridge QB” is generous. A bridge implies continuity — that you’re going from something to something. The Jets haven’t had a franchise quarterback since Joe Namath. This isn’t a bridge — it’s a decades-long detour.