The Jets are turning to their quarterback past to make it through the present. The Jets sent the Las Vegas Raiders a sixth-round pick for former Jets quarterback Geno Smith, who was originally drafted by the Jets in 2013. 

As part of the trade, Smith agreed to restructure his contract, and the Raiders are eating most of the deal. He had two years and $66 million remaining on his contract before the restructure. Now, the Raiders will pay him $16.2 million and the Jets are on the hook for $3.3 million.

Smith is the favorite to be the starter for the Jets in 2026. The team still has 2025 starter Justin Fields under contract, but they are expected to release him.

The expectation is the Jets will try to find their franchise quarterback in the 2027 draft when they have three first-round picks and the class is expected to be loaded, unlike this year. But they need to get through 2026 first, and that is where Smith’s return comes in.

Smith, 35, had one dismal season with the Raiders after finding success with the Seahawks in 2022 and 2023. He had 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions last year for Vegas in a tough situation where the offensive line was terrible.

The New York State Gaming Commission has unanimously approved licenses for three new casinos in New York City. The decision paves the way for Bally’s in the Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park near Citi Field, and Resorts World near the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens to begin development. 

According to Gaming Commission Chairman Bryan O’Dwyer, the licensing fees are expected to generate $1.5 billion for the state.

The Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, a significant part of the approved projects, is a partnership between Hard Rock International and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen. The $8.1 billion project will transform 50 acres of parking lots around Citi Field into a large-scale entertainment and gaming complex.

The complex will feature a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a Hard Rock Live concert center, multiple restaurants and bars, a retail store, and a 25-acre public park.

The Sphere officially announced its plans to create a second location in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

The focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities, said a spokesperson for Sphere Entertainment.

The State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies have announced their intent to develop a new Sphere venue – which would be the second in the U.S. and first to utilize a smaller-scale design model – at National Harbor in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. 

They believe that the addition of Sphere would create a new Maryland landmark that drives significant economic, cultural and community benefits. 

The Sphere is a music and entertainment venue located in Paradise, Nevada, and designed by Populous, a global firm specializing in stadiums, training centers, arenas, and exhibition centers for major events. The venue was founded by Madison Square Garden Company, which also owns the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, and controlling owner James Dolan.