PITTSBURGH — OK, Geno.
Jets quarterback Geno Smith eased any issues over a shaky coaching camp with an spectacular 10-play drive to open Friday evening’s preseason recreation against the Steelers. Smith missed last week’s preseason opener with a sore ankle but he seemed 100% wholesome 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 go to Jelani Woods in a 17-0 Jets win. Smith’s evening was performed after that, and backup Cade Klubnik entered the recreation.
While Smith and the offense stole the present, the Jets beginning protection also had a good evening. The unit performed two full collection and half of a third and didi not permit any factors. The Steelers sat quarterback Aaron Rodgers, so the Jets defensive efficiency comes with a little asterisk. Will Howard got the begin for the Steelers, and he did not have much success.
The Jets second-team protection came 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 yr’s interception drought when they went the whole season with out one.
The other excellent news on protection for the Jets was rookie David Bailey notching his first sack in a recreation. Bailey blew previous Steelers deal with Broderick Jones and introduced Howard down on third down to finish Pittsburgh’s second collection.
Geno Smith #7 of the New York Jets seems to be to go 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 were good for the Jets, the better 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 totally different receivers, including guard Dylan Parham, who caught a deflected go. He hit Adonai Mitchell for a 21-yard acquire alongside the sideline. He also transformed two third downs. One was a 10-yard completion to tight finish Mason Taylor. The next one was a 10-yard go to Garrett Wilson that put the ball at the Pittsburgh 13.
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) takes the discipline for a recreation against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Friday, August 21, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
New offensive coordinator Frank Reich drew up a lovely play-action go that left Woods huge open for a walk-in landing.
With that, Smith and the starters exited the recreation.
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 unhealthy ones in follow. Then, he missed the preseason recreation with the Buccaneers and questions remained. He answered some of these Friday evening. Yes, it was only one collection, but the Steelers largely performed their starters, minus T.J. Watt, and Smith seemed in management.
New York Jets huge receiver Quincy Skinner Jr. (39) celebrates with cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) after a landing during the second half of an NFL preseason soccer recreation 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 should expect loads of both this season. Friday was positively a excessive.
The Jets protection compelled a three-and-out on the first collection and then got the Steelers off the discipline in 4 performs on their next possession.
Klubnik, the fourth-round decide with the inside monitor to being Smith’s backup, was not as crisp as last week but he confronted fixed strain. Some of the strain was self-inflicted because he was sluggish to get rid of the ball. Other occasions his safety failed, including some horrible blocking from operating back Kene Nwangwu on a sack. Klubnik also got 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 go supposed for Pittsburgh Steelers huge receiver Roman Wilson (14) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Friday, August 21, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via 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 go, but Williams fumbled the ball. Klubnik completed 10-for-14 for 75 yards and was sacked twice. He performed 5 collection and did not produce any factors.
The second-team protection picked up where the starters left off and stored the Steelers out of the finish zone. The Steelers got 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 nicely conscious that the interception drought hangs over this crew. Even though it only came in August, they were prepared to have a good time.
Womack made it two picks in one recreation when he got 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 got to the Steelers 41, and Cade York tried a 59-yard discipline purpose that went huge proper to finish the half.