Geno Smith Is Happy to Be a Jet: AFC East QB Tier List

The two worst franchises in North American sports over the past two decades are both from New York: the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL and the New York Jets of the NFL.

Well, the Sabres finally broke through their futility and made the postseason in 2026.

The Jets now sit alone, having not made the playoffs in 15 years, with Geno Smith back as their starting QB, trying to break the longest drought in North American sports.

Can he do it?

It’s going to be a climb, as here is my ranking of AFC East QBs heading into the next season.

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1. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)

It was a heartbreaking end to the last campaign for Allen, who had a clear path to the Super Bowl that didn’t include his archrival, Patrick Mahomes, or Lamar Jackson.

It all fell apart in the conference semifinals against the Denver Broncos, Allen arguably having one of the worst games of his career in the largest moment possible.

Still, Allen is, at worst, a top-three QB in football, and with a better receiving room around him in 2026, maybe this will finally be the season that he makes it to the Super Bowl.

2. Drake Maye (New England Patriots)

A player who has reached the Super Bowl, Drake Maye, might have wished he hadn’t followed what a nightmarish performance in a game watched by over 100 million people was.

Maye was utterly phenomenal in his sophomore season and narrowly missed out on league MVP. If he can learn from getting punched in the mouth in the Super Bowl, then maybe he should be the No. 1 QB in the AFC East come next season.

3. Malik Willis (Miami Dolphins)

Willis went from the frozen tundra that is Green Bay to South Beach in Miami.

Sure, the Dolphins might have the worst wide receiver room in football, but at least the weather will be nice.

4. Geno Smith (New York Jets)

Smith is pumped to be back where it all started with the Jets, but maybe he shouldn’t be that excited.

The Jets are the Jets, and though they had a good draft and have some good pieces on the board, it’s hard to see any future that doesn’t end with fans watching Arch Manning highlights by Thanksgiving.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 5:24 PM.