FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Through OTAs and two days of mandatory minicamp, the biggest questions with the New York Jets once again start at quarterback and extend through the offense. (If you haven’t heard, it’s been a while since the Jets have had a productive offense.)Before minicamp wraps up Thursday — with what Aaron Glenn said will feature a scrimmage-like “move the ball” period — let’s dive into how the offense has looked in the early part of the offseason, along with other notes and observations from the first two days of minicamp:QuarterbacksIt’s important not to overevaluate what we see this time of year, but in this practice setting it’s clear the quality of play from the starting quarterback has taken a significant leap from a year ago. That is, of course, a low bar to clear considering it was Justin Fields this time last year — and Fields, frankly, never looked the part outside of a few highlight-worthy plays here and there.That’s not to say Geno Smith has been perfect. But he brings a level of arm strength and gumption to the position the Jets haven’t had in a while. He’s building chemistry with Adonai Mitchell, who has made plays throughout the spring — perhaps none better than a strong connection at the back of the end zone during seven-on-seven drills Tuesday.Smith followed that with a couple of impressive throws to Garrett Wilson on Wednesday, one at the sideline and another in the middle of the field, both throws gaining 30-plus yards.The second of those two throws got the Jets to the 4-yard line, and what happened next wasn’t ideal: short completion, Mason Taylor drop in the end zone, and either a sack (by David Onyemata) or an interception (by Andre Cisco), depending on your perspective.Early look at Geno Smith, Bailey Zappe, Cade Klubnik at OTAsZack RosenblattBut Smith has mostly looked the part in this early part of the offseason.“I am just so impressed by Geno,” offensive coordinator Frank Reich said. “I cannot express that enough. Man, he is on point. His preparation is top notch. His football mind is elite. The way he’s communicating in the huddle, at the line of scrimmage, the way he communicates in the QB room — I’ve been around a lot of really smart and good quarterbacks. All I’m going to say is, we’re in good shape.”The rest of the QB room has left something to be desired. Bailey Zappe has been operating as the No. 2 quarterback, and he struggled during Wednesday’s practice — he threw an interception to D’Angelo Ponds — and at this point hasn’t shown enough to keep that gig.
Breaking down the spring of Geno Smith, for the QB and his offense: Jets notebook
Smith brings a level of arm strength and gumption to the position the Jets haven't had in a while.
















