Geno Smith assuages Jets training camp concerns with perfect passing…
PITTSBURGH — OK, Geno.
Jets quarterback Geno Smith eased any concerns over a shaky training camp with a powerful 10-play drive to open Friday evening’s preseason game against the Steelers. Smith missed last week’s preseason opener with a sore ankle however he seemed one hundred pc healthy and prepared for the common season in his temporary look against the Steelers.
Smith went 7-for-7 for 65 yards and accomplished the drive with a 13-yard landing cross to Jelani Woods in a 17-0 Jets win. Smith’s evening was accomplished after that, and backup Cade Klubnik entered the game.
While Smith and the offense stole the present, the Jets beginning protection also had a superb evening. The unit performed two full collection and a part of a 3rd and didi not permit any factors. The Steelers sat quarterback Aaron Rodgers, so the Jets defensive performance comes with a bit of asterisk. Will Howard obtained the start for the Steelers, and he didn’t have a lot success.
The Jets second-team protection got here up with two interceptions of Howard — one from security Andre Cisco and another from cornerback Sam Womack. Though this is only preseason, any interceptions by the Jets are notable because of last 12 months’s interception drought after they went the whole season without one.
The other good news on protection for the Jets was rookie David Bailey notching his first sack in a game. Bailey blew past Steelers deal with Broderick Jones and introduced Howard down on third right down to end Pittsburgh’s second collection.
Geno Smith #7 of the New York Jets seems to be to cross during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Friday, August 21, 2026. Getty Images
While the defensive highlights have been good for the Jets, the best a part of the evening for Aaron Glenn and Co. was watching the beginning offense march 69 yards in 10 performs to open issues.
Smith discovered six different receivers, including guard Dylan Parham, who caught a deflected cross. He hit Adonai Mitchell for a 21-yard achieve alongside the sideline. He also transformed two third downs. One was a 10-yard completion to tight end Mason Taylor. The next one was a 10-yard cross to Garrett Wilson that put the ball at the Pittsburgh 13.
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) takes the discipline for a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Friday, August 21, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Connect
New offensive coordinator Frank Reich drew up a fantastic play-action cross that left Woods extensive open for a walk-in landing.
With that, Smith and the starters exited the game.
It has been an up-and-down summer time for Smith in his return to the Jets. There have been some good days and some dangerous ones in follow. Then, he missed the preseason game with the Buccaneers and questions remained. He answered some of those Friday evening. Yes, it was only one collection, however the Steelers largely performed their starters, minus T.J. Watt, and Smith seemed in management.
New York Jets extensive receiver Quincy Skinner Jr. (39) celebrates with cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) after a landing during the second half of an NFL preseason soccer game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Pittsburgh. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
Smith’s profession has been crammed with highs and lows and the Jets ought to count on loads of each this season. Friday was undoubtedly a high.
The Jets protection compelled a three-and-out on the first collection and then obtained the Steelers off the discipline in 4 performs on their next possession.
Klubnik, the fourth-round choose with the inside observe to being Smith’s backup, was not as crisp as last week however he confronted fixed stress. Some of the stress was self-inflicted because he was slow to do away with the ball. Other instances his safety failed, including some horrible blocking from operating again Kene Nwangwu on a sack. Klubnik also obtained flagged for an intentional grounding penalty, when he just threw the ball out of bounds with no receiver in the same zip code.
New York Jets security Andre Cisco (left) intercepts a cross meant for Pittsburgh Steelers extensive receiver Roman Wilson (14) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Friday, August 21, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Connect
Klubnik made some good performs, including a 16-yard scramble for a first down. He also discovered Isaiah Williams on a third-down cross, however Williams fumbled the ball. Klubnik completed 10-for-14 for 75 yards and was sacked twice. He performed 5 collection and didn’t produce any factors.
The second-team protection picked up the place the starters left off and saved the Steelers out of the end zone. The Steelers obtained to the Jets’ 14-yard line and then Cisco picked off Howard, ending the scoring menace.
The Jets sideline exploded after Cisco’s interception. Everyone on the Jets is properly conscious that the interception drought hangs over this team. Even though it only got here in August, they have been able to have fun.
Womack made it two picks in a single game when he obtained Howard with 1:54 left in the first half. That set Klubnik up with a two-minute drill from the 30. But the safety broke down and he was sacked twice. They obtained to the Steelers 41, and Cade York tried a 59-yard discipline objective that went extensive proper to end the half.
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