Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich says QB Geno Smith is a 'perfect' fit

Frank Reich's return to the NFL had to be the right fit, and he believes he's found that with the New York Jets. It helped that Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is also Reich’s former teammate, but the opportunity to turn a team around was especially appealing to the team’s new offensive coordinator. “I knew right away this was something I wanted to do, mainly because of (Glenn), but also because of the challenge, the opportunity to be a part of a staff and part of a team, organization, that has an opportunity to do something special and turn something around," Reich said Wednesday.

Frank Reich is back in the NFL, and he's bringing a bold vision to the New York Jets. The team's new offensive coordinator didn't hesitate when the opportunity came knocking—and it's easy to see why.

Reich's reunion with Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, a former teammate, made the decision personal. But the real draw? A chance to rebuild a franchise hungry for a fresh start. "I knew right away this was something I wanted to do," Reich shared on Wednesday. "It's about the challenge, the opportunity to be part of something special and turn things around."

After a rocky 2025 season that saw the Jets finish 3-14, the organization is embracing a full-scale rebuild. That meant tough calls—quarterback Justin Fields was benched after nine starts and traded to Kansas City in March, while defensive stars Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams were moved at the deadline. Glenn's return is one of the few constants as the team charts a new course.

Enter Geno Smith. The veteran quarterback, coming off a disappointing stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, is set to take the reins after being acquired in a March trade. For Smith, this is a homecoming of sorts—he was drafted by the Jets in the second round of the 2013 draft and started for two seasons before a preseason altercation in 2015 led to a benching. Now, after stops with the Giants and others, he's back in green and white with a chance to rewrite his story.

Reich, who served as Stanford's interim coach in 2025 (finishing 4-8) and previously led the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers, sees something special in Smith. "I think he fits perfect," Reich said. "His resilience, his toughness—those are the No. 1 attributes you need in a quarterback, especially when you're trying to turn things around. You need someone tough mentally and physically, and I feel that from Geno on every front."

For Jets fans, this is a season of hope and reinvention. With a proven offensive mind in Reich and a quarterback who's battled back from adversity, the pieces are in place for a story worth watching. Whether it's on the field or in the stands, the energy is building—and the right gear can help you be part of the journey.

Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich says QB Geno Smith is a 'perfect' fit

Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich says QB Geno Smith is a 'perfect' fit