Al Iannazzone
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I cover the Jets for @NewsdaySports . I used to cover the Knicks and the NBA.
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Articles by Al Iannazzone
Al Iannazzone: Geno Smith's second run as Jets quarterback will be a wild ride, but it's off to an exciting start
The Geno Smith Experience on and off the football field is like a ride at Six Flags amusement park. It’s filled with highs and lows and twists and turns. It can be exciting. It also can make your stomach turn. The Jets signed up for this when they reacquired Smith in March and are confident that there will be far more good than bad from Geno 2.0. Smith made his preseason debut on Friday night in the Jets’ 17-0 victory over the Steelers and led a touchdown drive in his only series.
Bailey gets first sack
Rookie edge rusher David Bailey did what he’s been doing throughout training camp in his second preseason game. The No. 2 overall pick used his speed and strength to record his first sack. Bailey beat tackle Broderick Jones and brought down Steelers quarterback Will Howard on third down for an 11-yard loss. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore.
Geno leads touchdown drive to begin preseason game against Steelers
Geno Smith led a touchdown drive in his first series of the preseason. Smith, who missed last week’s preseason opener with a sore ankle, completed all seven of his pass attempts for 65 yards Friday night against Pittsburgh. He connected with a wide-open Jelani Woods for a 13-yard touchdown to cap the 10-play drive. The big tight end ran over a Steelers defender on his way to the end zone. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore.
David Bailey has that fire
Rookie edge rusher David Bailey has made a quick impression on his teammates. Joseph Ossai, a fifth-year pro in his first season with the Jets, has seen enough in this camp to say that Bailey doesn’t act like most rookies. “He has a fire to him that I really love,” Ossai said. “A lot of rookies, especially when they're that talented, sometimes they get a little wide-eyed by being in the league and it takes a bit of time for that dog to come out of them.
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The emphasis on takeaways and making statements
The Jets defense has a goal every day at practice to get at least three takeaways. If they don’t, “there’s some consequences,” cornerback Jarvis Brownlee said. The defensive players have to run gassers if they fall short of that mark in practice. Last year, the Jets became the first team in NFL history to go a full season without recording an interception. It has been perhaps the biggest point of emphasis this camp. “The sense of urgency, it’s all the way to a thousand percent,” Brownlee said.
No Aaron Rodgers vs. Jets on Friday
Former Jet Aaron Rodgers won’t play in Friday’s preseason game for the Steelers. Neither will veteran Mason Rudolph. It will be Will Howard starting and Drew Allar backing him up, Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said. Geno Smith’s status for Friday is still unclear. He went through three straight days of practice after missing last week’s game against Tampa with a sore ankle. If Smith does play, it probably will only be a series or two. There really is no reason to push it.
Braelon Allen's newfound burst
Braelon Allen’s rehab from knee surgery was grueling but the self-proclaimed “gym rat” said training all the time to come back stronger was “kind of like heaven.” For the 240-pound back, who suffered a season-ending injury on a kickoff return in Week 4 last year, the hard work paid off in the preseason opener. Allen scored on a 31-yard touchdown run in last Friday’s loss to Tampa. It was his first game back and Allen showed great burst – better than pre-surgery – on that run.
Aaron Glenn: 'Guys will have to buy new cars'
Cars in the parking lot are not safe when the Jets are kicking field goals on the field closest to the street. It has happened throughout training camp where some kicks sail over the net, into the lot and slam into the cars parked there. “Some of the players were saying that those electric cars that's lined up, they're going to have some dents in the hood,” Aaron Glenn said. “I'm assuming that's something that we got to look at. We're going to continue to keep kicking that way.
T'Vondre Sweat plays it cool re: Week 1 opponent
T’Vondre Sweat smiled wide and then chuckled to himself when asked if he’s looking forward to Week 1. The Jets open the season in Tennessee against the team that drafted Sweat in the second round in 2024 and then traded the 6-foot-4, 366-pound defensive tackle in the offseason for Jermaine Johnson. “No,” Sweat said diplomatically. “I’m focused on Pittsburgh right now.” He said he’s “in a happy place” now, but there’s no guarantee that Sweat will play in Friday’s preseason game at the Steelers.
Takeaways from Wednesday's practice
It was a lighter day. Geno Smith only attempted three passes and didn’t complete any. It was a combination of sloppy and out-of-sync play by the offense and good plays by the defense. Smith’s three throws weren’t close to being completed. He threw it behind a receiver and threw a long ball to Garrett Wilson, who didn’t seem to know it was coming.
The Geno Smith-Cade Klubnick mentoring so far
New York Jets quarterback Cade Klubnik walks off the field after a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 14, 2026. Credit: AP/Seth Wenig Rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik led two scoring drives in his only two series of preseason action last week. He may get more opportunities to lead the offense on Friday in Pittsburgh whether Geno Smith (ankle) plays or not. The Jets are grooming Klubnik to be Smith’s primary backup as of now. Klubnik has shown the ability to handle the workload.
Tuesday morning injury updates
Garrett Wilson returned to practice on Tuesday after being sent home Monday with an illness. Breece Hall, who injured his groin on Monday, is not on the field. Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq, Nahshon Wright and Qwan’tez Stiggers, who was hospitalized last week after passing out in the sideline, worked on a side field. Video Player is loading. Current Time 0:00 Duration 0:30 Remaining Time -0:30 Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
7 observations from Tuesday's practice
It was a long practice, or as Aaron Glenn called it “a dog day,” with the first-team getting “a ton of reps.” Geno Smith, unofficially, completed 14 of 18 passes. He didn’t get in the end zone, but he was very accurate, made some good throws over the middle to Adonai Mitchell and Garrett Wilson, and showed some mobility moving around the pocket on a sore ankle that kept him out of Friday’s first preseason game. Smith spread the ball around, hitting seven different receivers.
Will Geno play this week?
Geno Smith went through practice fully, but there is still some question as to whether he will play in Friday’s preseason game against the Steelers. Smith missed last week’s game against Tampa with swelling in his ankle. Aaron Glenn said it will be a collaborative decision, but Smith has to feel well enough to play, first and foremost. “We’ll see,” Glenn said. “Every day there’s a management plan for that player.
Joseph Ossai in a 'comfortable place' after two practices
Edge rusher Joseph Ossai has only gone through two practices since being activated from the PUP list. Signed in the offseason, Ossai knows he has ground to make up playing for a new team and in a new system, but the former Bengal isn’t sweating it. “It can be a challenge,” Ossai said. “But I think for me, I have to – and I’ve been doing it my whole life - run my own race.” Ossai, who signed a three-year, $34.5 million deal, is expected to be a big part of a revamped defensive line.
Instant feedback from Glenn calling plays
There’s a new, significant wrinkle for the Jets' returning defensive players. With head coach Aaron Glenn calling the defense this season, he’s now talking to players on the sideline when a series ends unlike last year when Steve Wilks and later Chris Harris did it. Friday was the first time it happened in an actual game.
Kicking competition: 'Let them fight it out'
Jason Sanders and Cade York will continue their competition for the Jets’ kicking job. York would seem to have a slight edge based on what we’ve seen in practice. In Friday’s game, York hit both of his field-goal attempts (27, 38). Sanders drilled his lone field goal from 47 yards and made an extra point. There’s two more weeks of practice and two preseason games to go. “I thought both of them hit the ball well,” Aaron Glenn said. “Let’s see how it goes throughout camp, let them fight it out.
Braelon Allen showed he's back from knee injury
The third time Braelon Allen touched the football Friday night was an emphatic reminder of what he’s capable of and what the Jets missed most of last season. Playing in his first game in nearly 11 months, Allen took the handoff from Cade Klubnik, cut through the offensive line and put on the after burners for a 31-yard touchdown run against Tampa. “He is fully back,” Aaron Glenn said. Allen suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 last season in Miami.
Pretty cool move by the Jets for their draft picks
The Jets paid to fly in the parents of all of their draft picks to watch their sons’ NFL debuts live and in person. “That was really special that they were able to be here,” said QB Cade Klubnik, who also had his wife in attendance.
Bucs 24, Jets 16
The Jets squandered a 10-point lead and fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 24-16, in the preseason opener at MetLife Stadium on Friday night. The Buccaneers sat their starters in this game. Rookie Cade Klubnik, starting for Geno Smith (foot soreness), led the Jets on two scoring drives in the only two series he played. The Jets led 10-0 when Klubnik left. Bailey Zappe replaced Klubnik and was intercepted on his first two series, including a pick-6.
Braelon's happy return
Third-year running back Braelon Allen took a Klubnik handoff, cut through the line and raced 31 yards down the right side for the touchdown on the Jets’ second series of the game. This was Allen’s first game since he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 last year. Allen was expected to be a big part of the offense last year and is looking to re-establish himself this season as Breece Hall’s backup. Hall had a clear path for a touchdown on the Jets’ first series, but he stumbled and fell.
Al Iannazzone: Jets' Geno Smith sits this one out with sore foot
Aaron Glenn was adamant during the week that “everybody’s playing” in the Jets’ preseason opener. Well, not everybody. Starting quarterback Geno Smith was a late scratch for Friday’s game against Tampa Bay due to foot soreness. Maybe it’s nothing and the Jets are just being cautious, which would be the prudent thing. The Buccaneers sat their starters, so it makes no sense to potentially put Smith in harm's way against players who are trying to make the team and show they belong.
Geno Smith out of Jets-Bucs preseason opener
Geno Smith was scratched from the Jets’ preseason opener Friday night because of foot soreness, a league source confirmed. This was a surprise since Aaron Glenn said during the week “everyone’s playing” in the preseason. Smith hasn’t missed any time in training camp. He’s led the first-team offense over the first three weeks of camp. Rookie Cade Klubnik is in line to start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith is in his second tour of duty with the Jets.
Projected 53-man roster
Our projected 53-man roster heading into the first preseason game: OFFENSE QB: Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik RB: Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu FB: Andrew Beck TE: Jeremy Ruckert, Mason Taylor, Kenyon Sadiq, Jelani Woods WR: Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Isaiah Williams, Omar Cooper Jr., Tim Patrick, Arian Smith OL: Armand Membou, Joe Tippmann, Josh Myers, Dylan Parham, Olu Fashanu, Max Mitchell, Xavier Newman, Anez Cooper, Chukwuma Okorafor DEFENSE DL: Will McDonald,...
Batman and Robin
Receivers coach Shawn Jefferson sees third-year receiver Adonai Mitchell as ready to put on a cape and become the perfect superhero sidekick for Garrett Wilson. “If he continues on this trajectory,” Jefferson said of Mitchell, “he’ll be a really good Robin for our Batman.” Asked how Batman is doing, Jefferson said, “Batman is back to himself.” Wilson, who missed 10 games last season, is set to play for the first time in more than nine months in Friday’s contest against Tampa.
Glenn has a plan to coach and call the defense
The Jets’ first preseason game Friday night against Tampa also will be Aaron Glenn’s first game as both the head coach and defensive play-caller. Glenn said it’s been all thought out. He has coaches he can lean on -- offensive coordinator Frank Reich, special teams coordinator Chris Banjo and other staff members -- so he can focus on the defense and still be able to manage the game. “If you're calling it, you can't do everything,” Glenn said. “I want to make sure I'm spot-on with what I'm calling.
Cade Klubnik puts trust in his experience
Rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik isn’t lacking confidence heading into his first NFL preseason game. It comes from the many big games he’s quarterbacked in high school and at Clemson and the work he’s put in over the years and since the Jets drafted him in the fourth round. Klubnik knows the speed of the NFL game is different and he has to process things faster, but he falls back on his preparation and experience. “I’m confident in the work that I’ve put in, the studying,” Klubnik said.
Some good, some not so good for Jets offense
Geno Smith completed eight of his first 10 passes, including a touchdown pass to Mason Taylor. Smith should have had another, but he threw it behind Garrett Wilson in the end zone. The offense struggled and played sloppily overall in the final two-minute period against Tampa on Wednesday. Braelon Allen dropped a pass on first down. Armand Membou, who had some difficulties containing rookie Ruben Bain, was called for a hold three plays later. There was a false start. Smith only completed 2 of 7 passes.
Half as many fights on Day 2 of Jets-Bucs practice
The Jets and Bucs toned it down -- a little -- after four fights broke out in Tuesday’s practice. There were only two major dust-ups on Wednesday that involved both sidelines rushing to get involved or break it up. The first happened on the Tampa sideline after Isaiah Williams was brought down. Jets receiver Tim Patrick was hot and had to be restrained from going after outside linebacker Anthony Nelson.
Qwan'tez Stiggers in concussion protocol
New York Jets cornerback Qwan'Tez Stiggers a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 14, 2025. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack Jets cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers, who passed out during Tuesday’s practice and was taken to a hospital, is in the concussion protocol. He was released from the hospital on Tuesday night and is home recovering. “Really good news on Stiggers,” Aaron Glenn said. “He’s doing fine. He’s in concussion protocol. He had symptoms yesterday.
Jets starters will play in preseason opener vs. Bucs
Aaron Glenn revealed that “everybody’s playing” in Friday’s preseason opener against Tampa. Glenn said it’s important for the starters to play because the Jets are running new systems on offense and defense. He added there “is science behind” making sure players get a certain amount of game reps. Glenn said he will divvy up between 25-30 reps over the three preseason games. “The risk of injury actually goes down that first part of the year,” Glenn said.
Garrett Wilson makes a move
Geno Smith’s first pass against Tampa’s starting defense was intercepted by Damarion Williams and returned for a touchdown. Garrett Wilson fell while running his route, but Smith wasn’t sharp early in practice. He completed just three of his first seven passes and was picked off twice. Smith found a little more of a rhythm, connecting on seven of his last nine throws with two touchdowns. Both TDs – to Mason Taylor and Wilson – came during red zone drills.
Lots for Geno to look forward to with joint practice
Geno Smith looks forward to competing against Tampa Bay this week and seeing Todd Bowles, Smith’s coach the last two years of his first go-around with the Jets. “I've always had a high amount of respect for him and I think vice versa,” Smith said.
Aaron Glenn's plans to pivot
Aaron Glenn has expressed nothing but confidence in himself, his staff and players in turning the Jets around after a dismal 3-14 first season as coach. The clock is ticking. Glenn, who could be on the hot seat this season, acknowledged there were some unexpected “blind spots” last year.
Geno keeping all his receivers happy
Aaron Glenn’s description of Geno Smith sounded as if he was talking about a basketball point guard who makes sure he gets everyone involved. Smith has distributed the football in practice. He completed 12 of 20 passes on Saturday, connecting with seven different players. "Guys have confidence that when the routes are stretched down the field, that he's going to let it rip,” Glenn said.
Rookie injuries mounting up
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Joint practice with Bucs a test of discipline
The next time the Jets take the field, they’ll line up against another team. The Buccaneers, led by ex-Jets coach Todd Bowles, will be in Florham Park, New Jersey, for joint practices on Tuesday and Wednesday before Friday’s preseason game at MetLife Stadium. Aaron Glenn expects the Jets to get “two days of really good work” against a team that made the playoffs five of the last six years.
Left tackle Olu Fashanu had several things he wanted to improve upon in the offseason, but he went to work on his body first. Fashanu didn’t get to train as much last offseason because he was recovering from an injury. This year, he was back in the gym in January, lifting, running and eventually working on his technique. “Having a full offseason to really make a jump from one year to another definitely helps a lot,” Fashanu said.
Saban's Minkah-Malachi mix-ups
Being called “Minkah” by former Alabama coach Nick Saban didn’t bother Malachi Moore. The second-year safety grew up in Alabama a fan of Fitzpatrick, who also played for the Crimson Tide and is now a Jet. According to Moore, it happened during film sessions his first couple of days at Alabama. Moore shared that story with Fitzpatrick. “Coach Saban was calling me Minkah in film, and I’m like, ‘Coach, it’s Malachi,” Moore recalled.
Williams working his way into bigger role?
Isaiah Williams, the Jets’ special teams player extraordinaire last season and the team MVP, is making a case to be a bigger part of the offense this season. Williams has stood out in camp with his speed and ability to get open. Aaron Glenn keeps referring to Williams as “a dude.” He caught five passes on Saturday and has been a top offensive playmaker through the first two weeks of practice. “Players like that demand respect, they demand reps,” Glenn said.
Hall talks Hall . . . and cousin Roger Craig's induction
Breece Hall said it was long overdue that his third cousin, Roger Craig, was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Craig, a three-time Super Bowl champion running back with the 49ers and the first player to have 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a season, was part of the 2026 class that was enshrined Saturday. “Obviously, he deserves it,” the Jets' running back said. “He's one of the best to ever play, one of the best three-down backs, one of the best receiving backs.
Will we see Geno Smith in preseason games?
Geno Smith said he hasn’t had any discussions with Aaron Glenn or offensive coordinator Frank Reich about whether he would play in the preseason. But Smith sounds like he wants to play. The Jets kick off their preseason schedule a week from Friday against Tampa. “I love playing football,” Smith said. “Whenever coach tells me go out there, I go play." Smith played in the preseason with his last two teams, Seattle and Las Vegas. Video Player is loading.
Aaron Glenn: Armand Membou 'on a mission'
Aaron Glenn could tell from his exit meeting with then-rookie Armand Membou that the young right tackle would return for OTAs and training camp “stone-faced and ready to go.” Glenn was pleased to say he was right. Membou came back “on a mission," Glenn said. ". . . You saw it in his face. It was no [expletive] to him. Everything was a business approach.” Membou was motivated by the Jets’ overall performance last season. They were 3-14 and mostly not competitive.
Rookie TE Sadiq out indefinitely after setback
Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq suffered a setback in his recovery from sports hernia surgery and will be out indefinitely. Sadiq underwent surgery in the spring and didn’t participate in the Jets offseason program. He was held out of practice on Monday, but Aaron Glenn said that was part of the maintenance plan. Glenn said something showed up in an exam Sadiq had and he’s been shut down. “He had a little setback,” Glenn said. “He’ll be out for a bit.
Braelon Allen has something to prove
Third-year back Braelon Allen couldn’t wait to put the pads on this week. He hadn’t worn them since suffering a knee injury in Week 4 last season. Allen and Isaiah Davis are competing for carries behind Breece Hall. Allen, who is 245 pounds, said this is a “huge” season for him after last season was cut short when he was just feeling he was getting in a rhythm. “I don’t want to think too much about personal goals or anything like that,” Allen said.
Takeaways from Day 5 of practice
Here are some observations from the fifth practice of training camp: - Both sides of the ball made plays in team competition. Defensively, cornerback Brandon Stephens picked off a deflected Geno Smith pass. Linebacker Kiko Mauigoa forced a fumble on a catch-and-run by rookie Omar Cooper Jr. Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs had a “sack” on Smith. Rookie defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. batted down a Cade Klubnik pass. Offensively, Smith showed some good and not-so-good in completing 7-of-12 passes.
Mitchell a big fan of Reich, new offense
Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell makes a catch during training camp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J., on Monday. Credit: Ed Murray Receiver Adonai Mitchell got the lowdown on new offensive coordinator Frank Reich from some old teammates who played for him when he was Indianapolis’ head coach. Mitchell was acquired from the Colts last year in the Sauce Gardner trade. Receiver Michael Pittman Jr. told Mitchell, “You’re going to like him.
Here's why Kenyon Sadiq didn't practice Monday
Kenyon Sadiq, 16, Jets during the New York Jets Training Camp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park , NJ, Saturday, August 1, 2026 Credit: Ed Murray Kenyon Sadiq was held out of practice Monday because the Jets have him on a maintenance program after he underwent sports hernia surgery in May. “We went three good hard days last week, so today we wanted to rest him,” head coach Aaron Glenn said.
More addition and subtraction
The Jets signed wide receiver Cam Camper and waived wideout Gee Scott with an injury designation. Camper, who played with Jets rookie receiver Omar Cooper Jr. for one season at Indiana, was signed by Jacksonville last year. He was waived late in training camp. Scott left practice on Thursday with a calf injury. Video Player is loading. Current Time 0:00 Duration 0:30 Remaining Time -0:30 Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
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