Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: "Jets Trade for Geno"

Date: March 10, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg (with Bart Scott throughout)

Episode Overview

On this episode, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg dive into the headline trade bringing Geno Smith back to the New York Jets. The trio (plus Bart Scott) unpack the logic and fan response to the move, debate options at quarterback, and reflect on the state of the Jets and the rationality (or futility) of "bridge" QB moves. Along the way, they entertain callers and each other, offering signature banter, classic New York sports fatigue, and a dose of gallows humor about life as a Jets fan.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Geno Smith’s Return to the Jets

• Trade Details: The Jets swap a sixth-round pick with the Raiders for Geno Smith and a seventh-rounder; Raiders absorb a portion of Geno’s salary.
  "Jets send the Raiders a sixth round pick and in exchange they get Geno Smith in a seventh, and the Raiders absorb some of the money." (Don, 06:36)

• Why Trade Now?:

  • Fear of losing Geno in free agency to other suitors (notably Minnesota and Miami).
    "The Jets obviously did not want him to hit. He was going to get cut tomorrow...They eliminate that from the equation by making this trade." (Rich Cimini, relayed by Don, 11:17)
  • The trade is little cost for certainty at the most needy position.

• Lack of Better Options:

  • Other options (Tua, Cousins, Carson Wentz) were either unattainable, undesirable, or simply not upgrades.
    "Would you be high fiving people if Kirk Cousins was coming? ...Would you be high fiving people if they signed TUA yesterday? ...Absolutely not." (Don & Alan, 09:18–09:24)

• Geno as the “Best of What’s Left”:

  • "Who is the handsomest person in an ugly contest? There weren't a lot of great options." (Don, 06:36)
  • They expect both Smith and another veteran (likely Wentz) to compete for the job, plus a draft pick.

2. Jets' Quarterback Dilemma – And What Geno Actually Brings

• Review of Geno’s Recent Play:

  • Stats in a bad situation last year:
    • 3,000 yards, 19 TDs, 17 INTs, 67.4% completion rate (Raiders, 2025)
    • Pro Bowl-level numbers the year prior with Seattle: over 4,000 yards, 21 TDs, 15 INTs.
    • Comeback Player of the Year in 2022 with 30 TDs, 11 INTs, 4,300+ yards.
  • "He's not a great quarterback...but of the options, yeah, I would rather have Geno Smith than Carson Wentz." (Don, 08:53)

• No True Excitement:

  • "Every single option, I threw up in my mouth. Everyone we discussed... I said I don't like that, don't like that..." (Alan, 10:04)
  • The trade is a “placeholder,” allowing the Jets to begin developing a rookie behind a functional pro.

• Mentoring and Value of Veteran Presence:

  • Geno’s path (starter, backup, starter again) offers a “lot to be learned," even if he isn’t a classic mentor.
  • "There's a lot to be learned from Geno Smith. He brings valuable things to a lot." (Bart, 20:29)

3. Team Building Philosophy: Tanking vs. Competing

• You Can't Tank With 52 Other Men in the Room

  • "You can't do that to the 52 other players in that room. You can't say we're just going to start a garbage quarterback because we want to lose anyway. What do you think Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall...what are you telling these guys?" (Alan, 12:57)

• Organizational Direction:

  • Moves like the Fitzpatrick-era comparison: sign a bridge, field a more competent product, get ready for “the real guy” in a future draft.
  • The team is not bad enough to guarantee a top pick, so they want to improve while still retaining draft flexibility.

4. Jets Fan Fatigue & Cynicism

• Long-Suffering Callers:

  • Callers express classic Jets angst: “...we took 20 steps forward yesterday, and I don't know, I feel like we just took 15 steps.” (Caller David, 16:03)
  • One caller suggests Russell Wilson instead, prompting the crew to shut it down:
    • "Russell Wilson can't play serviceable NFL quarterback." (Bart, 16:43)
    • "Right now, Geno Smith is better than Russell." (Don, 16:48)

• Resignation and Humor:

  • Alan: “This is the ground up. This is just a space holder until you can find the guy. It's Alfred Peyton. Like, you're not going to be excited about it." (17:38)
  • Don: “You're on a date...and the only movies that are playing are Driving Miss Daisy, the Bridges of Madison County...a movie that just shows you static for two and a half hours. It's not exciting, but you're on a date and you gotta pick a movie and that's it.” (18:04)

5. The Developmental Angle: Drafting a QB

• They Expect a Rookie Will Be Added

  • “You're probably—you hope to—but I don't know if you're going to draft a quarterback that is going to be like Dart [rookie impact]. Best-case scenario is you get to let this kid sit the whole year.” (Don, 14:17)

• Naming Names & Process:

  • “If you can't get Ty Simpson...you draft him, totally. And this doesn't change that at all. What Gino does is buy you time.” (Alan, 19:32)
  • Other rookie options: Carson Beck, Garrett Nussmeier, Drew Aller (20:00–20:17).

6. Summing Up the QB Carousel – The “Jets List”

• Bart Scott rattles off the dizzying Jets QB carousel of the last decade:
  “Geno Smith. Matt Sims. Michael Vick. Ryan Fitzpatrick. Bryce Petty. Josh McCown. Sam Darnold. Trevor Simeon… Joe Flacco. Zach Wilson. Mike White… Aaron Rodgers… Tyrod Taylor… Brady Cook. Geno Smith. That's Geno to Gino starting on ABC this fall. Yeah, Geno to Gino”—Bart (37:22)

7. The Mood in Jets Nation

• No one is thrilled—but there’s logic.

  • Most callers want something different, but with options so limited, the move is hard to truly criticize.
  • “You gotta understand, Vinnie is just a broken fan who's gonna hate anything the jets do because...there's nobody left there. That's why they're in the situation that they're in...he would have hated anybody." (Don, 47:14)

• Coaching as the Next Domino:

  • “Every fan is worried: is this the coach's last shot? Another three-win season and everyone’s out.” (33:32 and again, 49:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Don: “Who is the handsomest person in an ugly contest? There weren't a lot of great options.” (06:36)
• Alan: “Every single option, I threw up in my mouth.” (10:04)
• Bart Scott (about Russell Wilson): “That is a cooked player.” (16:46)
• Don: “This is just a space holder until you can find the guy. It's Alfred Peyton.” (17:38)
• Caller Ira (Staten Island): “If by some chance you could squeeze a season and a half out of Geno and whoever they draft next year doesn't get thrown to the fire...this was a no brainer.” (30:07)
• Bart Scott (to a downtrodden fan): “You deserve to have a conversation that’s about how can we put a winning product on the field, not how can we get through another year with someone who can have a completion percentage of over 45. You deserve better, Ira. I'm sorry. And God bless you.” (31:04)
• Don (on the Jets’ perpetual purgatory): “It's chasing your tail and the dog's about to pass out.” (34:39)
• Alan (on future options): “Hope’s a dangerous thing.” (37:17)

Timestamps: Important Segments

• Opening Banter & 1-Year Studio Anniversary: 00:30–04:00
• Jets Trade Geno Smith – Breaking Down the News: 06:36–14:00
• Caller Segment #1: Reactions (David, Angry Fan): 15:27–16:51
• Fan/Host Debate: Russell Wilson, Jameis, etc.: 16:36–17:19
• The State of the Jets QB Room/Carousel: 20:29–22:44
• Jets “Tanking” vs. Staying Competitive: 12:57–14:07, 32:41–33:35
• Draft Strategy & Veteran QB Plan: 14:07–15:10, 19:32–20:00
• Caller Ira & Jets Futility: 30:05–31:43
• Fitzpatrick Era Comparison/Jets QB History: 32:41–37:29
• Recent and Coming Moves; Jets’ Plan at Large: 35:28–36:44
• Fan Frustration/Final Caller: 44:42–49:49

Tone and Style

• Authentically New York: Wry, self-deprecating humor, world-weary football wisdom, and blunt assessments.
• Banter & Chemistry: Hosts enjoy poking fun at each other; playful even when dissecting pain points (“space holder,” “cooked player,” “handsomest in an ugly contest”).
• Fan Perspective: Empathy for long-suffering Jets fans, with a realistic (if not entirely optimistic) look forward.

Conclusion

This episode provides a pragmatic, at times cynical, but always entertaining look at the Jets’ latest attempt to solve their quarterback conundrum. Geno Smith’s return isn’t anyone’s dream, but the hosts agree it’s the sensible—if uninspiring—move, given the market and franchise timeline. As always, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg keep the pulse of New York’s sports soul—bracing for another season, betting on fleeting hope, and never losing their sense of humor.