Geno Smith vs Jacoby Brissett: Who Should You Start?
Geno Smith and Jacoby Brissett are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Geno Smith averaged 12.7 PPG across 15 games with the New York Jets, while Jacoby Brissett posted 16.8 PPG in 14 appearances for the Arizona Cardinals.
A 4.1-PPG gap gives Jacoby Brissett the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Geno Smith threw for 3025 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Jacoby Brissett posted 3366 yards and 23 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Geno Smith sits Week 12 while Jacoby Brissett is off Week 11. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
