Skip to main content

New York Jets sign rookie quarterback Geno Smith

Geno Smith (left) signed with Jay Z's Roc Nation Sports agency to negotiate his NFL rookie contract. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

Geno Smith (left) signed with Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports agency to negotiate his NFL rookie contract. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

The New York Jets announced the signing of quarterback Geno Smith on Monday.

The team did not reveal details of its contract with their second-round pick of the 2013 NFL Draft, but Smith's draft position slotted him for a four-year deal for about $5 million.

Smith's agreement is the first signed NFL contract negotiated by Roc Nation Sports, Jay Z's new sport agency. Reports last week questioned whether the delay in an agreement -- Smith was one of four remaining second-round picks still unsigned -- was tied to agent Kim Miale's inexperience negotiating NFL contracts.

From GangGreenNation.com:

By now most Jets fans know Geno Smith fired his agent shortly after the NFL Draft and signed on with Jay Z's fledgling sports agency, Roc Nation Sports. What some may not know is that Roc Nation has appointed agent Kim Miale, who has never negotiated an NFL contract, to handle Smith's contract negotiations. This may be part of the reason Smith remains one of just four second round picks who remain unsigned. Throw in new Jets' GM John Idzik, who seems determined to reverse the errant salary cap ways of his predecessor, and you have the recipe for a potentially damaging holdout by Smith.

The holdup with Geno's contract appears to involve the percentage of money guaranteed in his deal. Geno is said to be looking for a percentage similar to what prior second round QB picks [Andy] Dalton and [Colin] Kaepernick got, approximately 73% of the total value of the contract.

This followed the NFLPA's investigation into Jay Z's recruitment of Smith, who fired his original agent after dramatically falling into the second round of the draft.

MACK: Key fantasy questions for Jets

The Jets drafted Smith to replace starting quarterback Mark Sanchez but reports of Smith's lackluster showing in OTAs and minicamp have left the incumbent the favorite entering training camp. An ESPN New York report has the Jets considering using Smith in a Tim Tebow-like, change-of-pace role early in the 2013 season.