Keith Hernandez had some fun at the expense of his SNY broadcast partner Steve Gelbs after news broke that the Jets were bringing back Geno Smith.
The pair were on the call for Tuesday’s spring training game between the Mets and Cardinals when Gelbs started to read a promo for the network’s “Jets Nation” free agency special and mentioned the surprising trade news that had broken earlier in the day.
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“Apparently, the Jets are trading for Geno Smith,” Gelbs said, sounding somewhat exasperated.
Geno Smith runs with the ball during his first tenure with the Jets. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Hernandez responded by expressing curiosity over who the Jets traded in the deal.
“I’d like to know who they trade,” he said.
“I don’t expect it would be all that much,” Gelb responded.
After the two learned the details — with New York getting a seventh-round pick and Las Vegas getting a sixth-rounder — of the deal between the Jets and Raiders, there was a brief silence, which then prompted Hernandez to troll Gelbs.
Jeff McNeil talks in an interview with SNY reporter Steve Gelbs after having water dumped on him for hitting a walk-off one-run single in the tenth inning to win the game between the Washington Nationals and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in New York, New York. MLB Photos via Getty Images
“Steve, are you OK? I can take over for you for a half inning if you want here,” Hernandez joked.
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“It is what it is here,” Gelbs then said back, which led Hernandez to let out a big chuckle at his broadcast partner’s response.
The Mets legend and World Series winner tried to give Gelbs, who is part of the Jets’ postgame show during NFL season, some positive comments afterward.
Hernandez did note the successful stint Smith had after the Jets, but Gelbs noted the QB’s issues last season with the Raiders.
“He really struggled last year, one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL,” Gelbs said.
The decision to bring Smith back was surprising after his first stint in the Big Apple didn’t go very well.
Retired New York Mets Keith Hernandez and John Franco throw out the first pitch before Game 3 of the NLDS playoffs against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Filed, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Smith played for the Giants, Chargers, Seahawks, Broncos and Raiders to varying degrees of success.
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The QB had a rocky tenure with the Jets that is most remembered for the altercation he had with then-teammate IK Enemkpali when Smith was punched and broke his jaw.
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