When the Miami Dolphins paid Malik Willis to be their starting quarterback, no one batted an eye. When the Atlanta Falcons brought in Tua Tagovailoa, the league shrugged — other than the injury-specific memes and gifs that hit the social media circuit.

But when the New York Jets acquired Geno Smith to be their starting quarterback, the whole league seemingly lost its mind.

Gang Green was one of a handful of teams in desperate need of finding a new starting quarterback this season. Outside of Smith, the list included veterans like Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins, and Malik Willis.

Not exactly a dominant list of passers.

So why are most NFL fans and analysts using New York’s decision to dunk on the organization again? In the end, it all comes back to the league-wide hypocrisy involving the Jets.

The stereotype

Outside of their decision at quarterback, the Jets have had a very strong offseason. For a team that walked into free agency with needs at wide receiver, edge rusher, offensive line depth, linebacker, safety, and corner, New York has done a lot to improve the roster from the bottom up.

So what’s the issue with Smith? The former second-round pick has thrown 32 combined interceptions over the last two seasons — more than any other quarterback in the game.

He also threw for over 7,000 yards during that span. In the Jets’ history, only Joe Namath has reached that plateau in a two-year run.

Smith may not be close to an elite quarterback, but he’s a lot better than what the team has dealt with in recent years. The 2025 season is a clear example of that.

New York failed to record over 150 passing yards nine times in 2025. In four games, they failed to throw for over 100 yards. Throw in three quarterback changes, and the Jets’ passing offense was the worst in the NFL last season.

It simply could not get any worse.

The reality

Analysts can talk all they want about the deficiencies of Smith over the last few seasons, but most Jets fans would sign up for a quarterback who is willing to make throws downfield as opposed to others who were gun-shy to complete a five-yard pass.

The team’s future outlook doesn’t change either. If Smith plays at a high level next season, chances are the Jets will have a much better win total than last season. Should the starter struggle again, New York will be in play for the top overall pick, just as the Las Vegas Raiders did with Smith last season.

There are positive ways to view the Jets’ quarterback decision.

Analysts and some Jets fans may not like what the team did by bringing Smith back into the fold, but the organization clearly has a plan for the 2026 season.

If the New York Jets attempted to sell the Geno Smith acquisition as if it were something more significant than reality, then, sure, go ahead and hammer them.

They didn’t do that. Thus, the move is more akin to other quarterback moves this offseason.