Wendy’s joke about Geno Smith’s NFL release by offering him a "get paid to eat" job, but the quarterback fired back in a heated exchange.
The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing NFL quarterback Geno Smith following a disappointing season in which the team finished with a 3-14 record.
Smith, the 2022 Comeback Player of the Year, will now be hoping to attract interest from teams around the league as he searches for his next opportunity.
But shortly after the news broke, the veteran quarterback began drawing attention from a very different corner of the internet.
Quoting ESPN's announcement of the move, the company's official account wrote: "@GenoSmith3 in case things don't work out in free agency we're looking for a Chief Tasting Officer..."
The playful jab referenced a promotion Wendy's has been advertising recently. The company has been searching for someone to fill the role of Chief Tasting Officer.
According to the listing, the job pays $100,000 and can be done remotely, with only light travel required, "mostly to your local Wendy's and/or the couch."
"Basically, you'll get paid to eat Wendy's, be chill, maybe make some content and maybe even star in ads," the advertisement states. "Whether it's quarterly vlog check-ins, taste trending, or whatever, you'll make cheddar just for liking cheddar."
Applicants are encouraged to upload a video explaining why they are the right fit for the role, with "bonus points" offered to those who incorporate the brand's products or logos into their submission.
What started as a lighthearted joke quickly turned into a brief online feud.
Smith responded to the post by sharing a screenshot highlighting Wendy's declining sales, writing, "Get ya cheese up 1st."
According to Restaurant Business, the company plans to close around 300 to 350 locations, representing roughly 5 to 6 percent of its restaurants.
The report also indicates that in 2025 the company's "U.S. system sales fell 5.2% to $11.9 billion amid closures and weak same-store sales."
Internationally, however, the brand saw growth, with sales increasing 8.1 percent to $2.1 billion.
Smith continued to push back at the fast-food chain with another post.
When an account called 'Burger Money' suggested the exchange looked like a brewing feud, Smith responded with another dig at the company.
What began as a playful jab from a fast-food brand quickly escalated into a sharp exchange, with Smith making it clear he wasn't amused by the joke.
