The Jets can look at the Kansas City Chiefs' sideline to see how much they've improved at quarterback. They will see Justin Fields, their former starter turned Patrick Mahomes understudy. The Geno Smith-for-Fields decision has worked out nicely, with Smith playing virtually the same number of snaps (494) as Fields did last season (501).
By every objective measure, Smith has outperformed the 2025 Fields. Smith is far superior in QBR (59.7 to 39.2), completion percentage (69.0 to 62.7), passing yards (1,913 to 1,259) and touchdown passes (12 to 7). Fields had only one interception (Smith has three), but Smith is averaging 7.7 air yards per attempt. Fields had more rushing yards (383 to 46) but also more sacks (27 to 23).
Financially, it's an overpay for Fields and an underpay for Smith. The Jets are paying Smith only $3.3 million for one year, while Fields made $20 million last season and is costing the Jets another $8 million this year. Yet the records are close: the Smith-led Jets are 2-6, averaging 21.3 points per game. They were 2-7 in Fields' starts, with a 20.2 average.
The Jets have five one-score losses, tied for the league lead. Winning those games is part of the quarterback's job description.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing