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NFL presason roundup: Geno Smith shines as Jets dump Steelers

By Thomson Reuters Aug 21, 2026 | 10:55 PM

Geno Smith made the most of his lone drive, completing all of his passes and throwing for a touchdown as the New York Jets earned a ​17-0 preseason win over the host Pittsburgh Steelers on ‌Friday.

Smith finished 7 of 7 for 65 yards while guiding a game-opening, 10-play, 69-yard drive. The march culminated with Smith hitting a wide-open Jelani Woods in the flat, and the tight end rumbled for a 13-yard TD.

Three ‌other ​quarterbacks saw action for the Jets (1-1), ⁠with Cade Klubnik connecting on ⁠10 of 14 passes for 75 yards. Quincy Skinner Jr., who finished with a game-high four receptions for 47 yards, capped the scoring with a 31-yard touchdown on a ​fourth-quarter pass from Brady Cook.

For the second game in a row, the Steelers (1-1) held out starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Will ⁠Howard drew the start and threw ⁠two interceptions while going 10-for-15 for 74 yards. ​Drew Allar finished 11 of 23 for 110 yards.

Pittsburgh’s Kaleb Johnson ​was the game’s leading rusher with 10 carries for ‌39 yards.

Panthers 34, Jaguars 17

Bryce Young enjoyed a successful two-series appearance, helping Carolina register a victory at Jacksonville.

The fourth-year quarterback completed 5 of 6 passes for 49 yards. His second drive resulted ⁠in the game’s first touchdown on a 1-yard run by Jonathon Brooks.

Kenny Pickett got the bulk of the action under center for ⁠the Panthers (2-1), and he ‌went 15 of 25 for 137 yards ⁠and a touchdown. John Metchie III had six ​receptions ‌for 77 yards.

Trevor Lawrence again sat out for ​the Jaguars (1-1), ⁠with Nick Mullens getting the start and producing 65 yards on 6-of-7 passing. Joey Aguilar added 130 yards and a touchdown on 9-of-10 passing. Trebor Pena made four catches for 72 yards and a score, and Ameer Abdullah added six carries for 45 ​yards.

–Field Level Media