Report: Jets Prepared To Move On From Geno Smith, Considering Trade Up For Marcus Mariota

According to Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report, the Jets want to move on from QB Geno Smith and would prefer to bring in another quarterback this offseason.

Cole mentions that New York has been taking a look at this year’s crop of quarterbacks including Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, Bretty Hundley, Bryce Petty, and Garrett Grayson because they just don’t see Smith being their guy in the coming years.

Interestingly enough, Cole adds that the Jets are trying to determine if they can come away with either Wiston or Mariota. The problem for the Jets is that the Buccaneers are unlikely to trade down, which means one of them will be playing in Tampa Bay next year.

Cole doesn’t rule out the possibility of the Jets moving up to get Mariota at No. 2 or No. 4 overall, but admits that other teams could make a move for the Oregon product.

Smith, 24, still has two years remaining on his four-year, $5.019 million contract, which includes base salaries of $585,000 and $675,000 over the next two years.

According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Smith would free up just $353,673 in available cap space while creating $1,015,310 in dead money.

However, if New York were to wait until next year, they could create $1,089,491 in cap space by releasing him outright.

In 2014, Smith threw for 2,525 yards while completing 59.7 percent of his passes to go along with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also contributed 238 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown.