The New York Jets opened their preseason with a 17-0 shutout victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday night. Quarterback Geno Smith led the charge, completing all seven of his passes for a touchdown on the game's opening drive. His performance drew praise from coach Aaron Glenn, who seemed satisfied with what he saw from Smith.
Smith demonstrated strong command of the offense, successfully converting two third downs during the initial drive. His efficient play suggests he is prepared for the upcoming regular season.
However, the Jets' running game faced significant challenges in its first outing without starting running back Breece Hall. Braelon Allen managed only 4 yards on three rushes during one series, and other running backs also struggled to gain significant yardage. The longest run of the night for the Jets was a 16-yard scramble by quarterback Cade Klubnik.
In the receiving game, rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. had a modest start. He caught one pass for 9 yards. Cooper has yet to achieve a breakout performance and is expected to compete for playing time with Isaiah Williams.