FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets are betting on familiar faces to break a 15-year curse. The team confirmed Tuesday that quarterback Geno Smith and linebacker DeMario Davis have officially returned to Gang Green for the 2026 campaign, reclaiming the iconic jersey numbers they once wore at MetLife Stadium. After over a decade of postseason absence, the front office is looking for veteran stability to steer a young roster under head coach Aaron Glenn.
The trade wire sparked to life as the Jets sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders to bring Geno Smith back to the team that drafted him in 2013. In return, New York also snagged a 2026 seventh-round selection. Smith, now 35, comes back with a different edge than the young passer who left in 2016. While his 2025 season in Vegas saw 19 touchdowns against 17 interceptions, his experience in Seattle’s system proved he can manage high-stakes environments.
Smith will once again wear No. 7, a symbolic move for a player who logged 5,962 passing yards and 28 touchdowns during his first four-year run in New York. He joins a quarterback room that has cycled through 16 different starters since the team’s last playoff appearance in 2010. The goal here isn’t just depth; it’s a veteran presence that can handle the relentless New York media pressure.
The defense also received a massive boost of leadership. DeMario Davis, who just finished a 143-tackle season with the Saints, signed a two-year, $22 million contract to return for his third stint with the franchise. He’ll slide back into his customary No. 56, anchoring the middle of a defense that needs to improve on last year’s 3-14 finish. At 37, Davis shows no signs of slowing down, recently hitting a career-high in total tackles during the 2025 season.
“I still have a ton of years left on my body to play this game and I want to continue to try and maximize it. I believe the Jets are getting a better player than I was in Seattle. I know that for a fact, in fact.”
— Geno Smith, Quarterback
“Leaving here, I felt the mission personally was a little incomplete. This is my third time around, but this time I come back very different, very purposeful, very clear on vision. I know I play the game at an elite level.”
— DeMario Davis, Linebacker
The Jets haven’t tasted January football since Rex Ryan was at the helm. By adding Smith and Davis, General Manager Darren Mougey is clearly prioritizing “professionalism” in the locker room. The 2026 schedule won’t be easy, but the Jets now have two captains who understand exactly what it takes to survive in the Meadowlands. With the NFL Draft just weeks away in Pittsburgh, expect the team to use their high picks—including the No. 2 overall selection—to build around these established veterans. The foundation is set; now they just have to win.
