In a lighthearted yet pointed moment during a live sports broadcast, New York Mets legend-turned-commentator Keith Hernandez could not resist poking fun at his colleague Steve Gelbs over the New York Jets' recent acquisition of quarterback Geno Smith. The trade, which occurred on Tuesday, has sparked significant debate among fans and analysts alike.
Controversial Trade Details
Geno Smith is making a return to the New York Jets nearly 13 years after the team originally selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. According to multiple reports, the deal involves Smith and a seventh-round pick moving from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Jets in exchange for a sixth-round selection in the upcoming draft. This transaction is widely viewed as a salary dump by the Raiders, who are offloading the veteran quarterback after a challenging season.
A Nightmare Season in Las Vegas
Smith's tenure with the Raiders was marked by struggle, as he posted a dismal 2-13 record while throwing a career-worst 17 interceptions. This performance has left Jets fans, who have endured a 15-year playoff drought, particularly skeptical about the move. The quarterback's return to a team where he previously played four seasons, from 2013 to 2016, has not been met with enthusiasm.
On-Air Banter Between Colleagues
During the Mets' game against the St. Louis Cardinals on SNY, the New York sports network, Hernandez seized the opportunity to troll Gelbs, who has covered the Jets for over a decade. After Gelbs announced the trade news on air, stating, 'Apparently the Jets are trading for Geno Smith,' Hernandez responded with a mix of humor and concern.
Following a long pause, Hernandez bluntly asked, 'Steve are you ok? I can take over for you for a half inning if you want...' He then added more seriously, 'Geno's had a very nice career, but he's on the back side.' Gelbs acknowledged Smith's struggles, admitting, 'He really struggled last year, one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL.'
Geno Smith's Career Trajectory
Smith, now 35 years old, was initially drafted by the Jets and played four seasons with the team, compiling a 28-24 record. After a stint as a backup with the New York Giants in 2017, he served in similar roles for the Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks. His career experienced a resurgence in 2022 when Russell Wilson was traded from Seattle to Denver, allowing Smith to step into a starting role.
During that season, Smith achieved career-best numbers, completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns. However, his subsequent disastrous year with the Raiders led to his replacement in Seattle by Sam Darnold, another former Jets quarterback, who recently helped the Seahawks secure a Super Bowl victory.
Prior to the trade, Smith was reportedly on the verge of being released by the Raiders this week, making his move back to the Jets a surprising development in the NFL offseason.
