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The New York Jets Week 1 clash with the Tennessee Titans isn’t just a big day for head coach Aaron Glenn, it could determine how things go in the unwanted reunion between Gang Green fans and quarterback Geno Smith. Back in 2013, Smith replaced Mark Sanchez as the latest young signal caller the Jets tried to sell fans on as the new hope to solve their decades long franchise QB void. Unfortunately a 21 interception season as a rookie, then going 3-10 in his sophomore year was more than enough reason for New York fans to look to the horizon for a new potential savior. For the next six seasons, the West Virginia standout settled in to a role of a journeyman QB. That seemed like a good fit and gave him value as solid backup. However, something unexpected occurred in 2022. He got the chance to be a starting QB with the Seattle Seahawks, and he shockingly thrived. Earning Pro Bowl honors for the first-time and the Comeback Player of the Year Award. The reunion NY Jets fans never wanted Smith would earn Pro Bowl honors again in 2023, then he lead the Seahawks to a 10-7 record in 2024. It was the best record he’s ever had as a starting QB. That is why it wasn’t shocking when Pete Carroll brought him to the Las Vegas Raiders to be his new starting QB after overseeing his resurgence in Seattle. Unfortunaley, the legendary coach ended up getting the version of Smith Jets fans are well acquainted with as he threw 19 touchdowns to 17 inteceptions, was sacked an NFL-leading 55 times and posted a 2-13 record as a starter. That is why when it was announced that he was returning to New York this season, Jets fans universally rolled their eyes. The team wasn’t bringing in the two-time Pro Bowler. They were reuniting with a 35-year-old version of the player they were happy to see go a decade ago. Unfortuantely, there is no rookie first-round pick that Smith is serving as a place holder for. Glenn has hyped Smith’s potential all summer and is pretty much betting his job on the QB having a good year. And if Jets fans want to avoid more suffering this season, they need to buckle and hope for the best in 2026. But those old feelings will always be there unless Smith proves fans wrong. So what does he need to do in his return on Sunday in their Week 1 game against the Titans? What Geno Smith needs to do to earn NY Jets fans’ trust Smith didn’t play much during the preseason but when he did a few weeks ago, he played well. Hitting on 7 of 7 passes for 65 yards and 1 touchdown. Furthermore, coaches have been complimenting how Smith has looked throughout the summer. Maybe the two-time Pro Bowler has returned in 2026? But the Jets don’t necessarily need that on Sunday. They just need him to be smart with the ball. The biggest reason why Smith failed in New York the first time, then in Las Vegas was his problems with turnovers. Over 12 seasons in the league he has 124 touchdowns to 89 interceptions. That is an average of 10 TDs to 7 INTs a year. That’s not good. If he can be the CPOY, great. But if he can just be an effective game manager that makes good use of the solid weapons on the Jets offense, then he can win fans over. While he and Glenn hope he can earn the starting job for the next few years, the team’s ultimate goal is to draft his replacement in April. So, the QB needs to see this season as a job interview for free agency next spring, and an opportunity to exercise some New York demons. What do you need as a Jets fan to actually have trust in Smith as your starting QB in 2026?