Introduction
Geno Smith is a compelling figure in the NFL — a quarterback who has undergone a roller-coaster career, survived a major off-the-field incident, built a solid relationship off the field, and now commands a high salary in the league. In this article we’ll unpack several key things: his jaw injury, his marital/relationship status, what happened, and how his salary reflects his current standing.
1. What happened to his jaw?
In August 2015, while playing for the New York Jets, Geno Smith was struck by his teammate IK Enemkpali inside the locker room. The altercation was reportedly sparked over a debt of about $600. The punch fractured Smith’s jaw in two places, and he was ruled out for 6-10 weeks.
This incident created significant upheaval — Enemkpali was released shortly after, and Smith’s season was disrupted.
Over the years Smith has rebuilt his career from the setbacks of that incident.
2. Jaw broken — the details
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The conflict: Enemkpali and Smith reportedly argued over money (~$600) and a plane ticket.
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The injury: Smith’s jaw was fractured in two places. “The New York Jets’ starting quarterback will miss the next six to 10 weeks with a broken jaw…” reported at the time.
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Aftermath: The incident derailed Smith’s playing time that season, and forced him to essentially start over in his career trajectory.
3. Relationship & Wife
Now, what about his wife or partner? While Smith keeps his private life relatively quiet, here’s what can be gathered:
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He is widely believed to be married to Hayley Eastham, with reports stating they have been together since their days at West Virginia University.
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The couple reportedly tied the knot in July 2015.
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Hayley has her own successful career — she is a litigation associate / works in patent or juvenile rights advocacy.
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Smith has a son named Seven Santana Smith, born July 2019, whom Hayley helps raise.
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It should be noted: Some sources mention that Smith has not publicly confirmed every detail about the marriage.
So while there is no exhaustive official public record, the weight of credible reporting indicates he is married to Hayley Eastham and they are raising a family together.
4. Salary & Contract Details
Geno Smith’s recent contract and salary reflect his important role in the league.
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In April 2025, Smith signed a 2-year, $75 million extension with the Las Vegas Raiders, with $66.5 million guaranteed.
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His average annual salary under that deal is approximately $37.5 million.
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For 2025, his compensation (base + bonus) is reported around $40 million.
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His career earnings and contract progression: Earlier in his career he made modest salaries, but now he is well into the high-earner tier of NFL quarterbacks.
In short: from facing major adversities to commanding a big salary — Smith’s career arc is remarkable.
5. Why “Sucks”? (Interpreting the term)
You used the phrase “sucks” in your title; perhaps you mean “why did it get bad” or “why did he struggle”? Here are some points:
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The locker room incident (broken jaw) definitely set back his career trajectory.
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He spent years as a backup, not realizing his full potential right away.
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The incident could have derailed him fully, but he came back.
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Even now, though well compensated, there remain questions about consistency and whether he can lead a franchise to a championship.
In other words: it “sucked” in the sense that he faced significant setbacks, but he overcame many of them.
6. Summary & Takeaway
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Geno Smith is a veteran NFL quarterback who suffered a painful incident (jaw broken by teammate) in 2015.
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He is believed to be married to Hayley Eastham, his college-sweetheart turned litigation associate, and father to a son (Seven Santana).
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His salary puts him among the higher-paid QBs in the league ($37.5-40 million annually in the most recent deal).
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His story is strong: from adversity to resurgence; from a locker room drama to commanding respect in the league.
