Chris Long may have just had the best idea ever for the New York Jets at the 2026 NFL trade deadline
Chris Long had a big brain moment on ‘The Green Light Podcast’ about the New York Jets and the 2026 NFL trade deadline.
The New York Jets have seen a chance to make a run in the heart of this season fall by the wayside. Sitting at 2-3, the Jets had contests against the Patriots, Dolphins, and Raiders next on the schedule.
They’ve lost all three. Their reward? The team sits 2-6 and now must tackle the Chiefs and Bills the next two weeks. It’s not great. And, accordingly, some are asking if the Jets should be selling at the 2026 NFL trade deadline. Amid all of the ideas of what the Jets should do, former NFL player Chris Long just had the best. The Jets should trade QB Geno Smith to the Vikings.
Chris Long thinks the Jets should trade Geno Smith to the Minnesota Vikings…and he’s right
“The Jets don’t need Geno Smith. Go get another pick for Geno Smith. You’re about to be out of it. You lose this game, the Jets are going to be 2-7.”
— Chris Long on ‘The Green Light Podcast’
It’s low key somewhat brilliant. Because yes, the Jets are trying to win in Aaron Glenn’s second season as the head coach of the team. But thanks to the Indianapolis Colts falling into a tank and New York’s own shortcomings, this football team has two top-6 picks in the 2027 NFL Draft order right now. They will almost assuredly be in a position to draft a quarterback in April. That is, of course, unless Cade Klubnik works miracles. But you won’t know if that’s the case or not unless Klubnik plays.
That’s where a Geno Smith trade enters the conversation. Smith is on a one-year deal with the Jets. Is the answer at quarterback REALLY going to be ‘re-sign 36-year old Geno Smith to a new deal this offseason’? It shouldn’t be. And, because of that, the Jets should strike while the iron it hot. Smith has played good football this past month. And even with the Jets getting good play out of Geno Smith, they’re 2-6. Knocking on the door of 2-7.
Such a move would set the stage for an unsavory final two months of this season. But it would be the final domino to ensure positioning for a quarterback in this year’s class. And it would also be a major “sell high” opportunity for New York. Between now and April? You get to see what Klubnik has to work with. I don’t see a downside, honestly. Smith, thanks to his age, is not the future.
So let’s make this happen. I dig it.
NFL Draft