Geno Smith, the New York Jets quarterback, apologized on Tuesday for any distraction his off-field activities may have caused the organization as he spoke to reporters for the first time since a battery accusation surfaced in June. The 35-year-old signal-caller, who was traded back to the Jets in March, met with media members when veterans reported to training camp in Florham Park, New Jersey.
Smith initiated the discussion about the incidents before any questions were posed. 'I really hate the fact that something I was a part of could've been a distraction for this team, my teammates and this organization because a lot of hard work has been put in,' Smith stated. 'A lot of guys have put in a lot of work for us to be in a good spot as a team. I'm happy that I'm able to put this behind me. I'm looking forward to moving forward.'
The quarterback acknowledged having separate conversations with head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, as well as others within the organization, but declined to provide specifics. Smith noted that the team built positive momentum during OTAs and expressed optimism about the current state of the squad.
Off-Field Incidents
The battery allegation stemmed from a June 21 incident where a woman identifying herself as Smith's ex-girlfriend called 911 claiming he assaulted her at his home. The Davie, Florida police department announced on July 14 that Smith would not face charges and the investigation was closed. The official report cited a lack of witnesses and surveillance footage, and neither party provided requested follow-up statements, leaving the responding officer unable to determine the primary aggressor. The woman later posted a video of the encounter on social media, which did not show evidence of an assault. No arrests were made, though the woman was trespassed from Smith's residence.
Smith also faced two traffic citations in April and July for an improper vehicle tag and speeding, resulting in approximately $400 in fines.
Veteran linebacker Demario Davis, who was with the Jets during Smith's rookie season, confirmed he spoke with the quarterback about the allegations. 'We have a tight brotherhood in this locker room,' Davis said. 'Nobody is operating in a silo on this team, and we need that. People need space where they can have people they know and trust that will protect them the right way.'
Career Overview
The Las Vegas Raiders traded Smith back to the Jets in March, along with a swap of late-round 2026 draft picks. Last season, Smith threw a league-worst 17 interceptions while completing 67.4% of his passes for 3,025 yards and 19 touchdowns in 15 starts. The Raiders went 2-13 in games he started, and he was sacked a league-high 55 times. Over his career, Smith has completed 65.2% of his passes for 22,168 yards, 124 touchdowns, and 89 interceptions in 109 regular-season games (98 starts) with the Jets, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, and Raiders. His only playoff appearance came in 2022 with the Seahawks, a 41-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC wild-card game. Smith was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year that season and made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023. The Jets originally selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Originally reported by westhawaiitoday.