Report: Jets to bench Ryan Fitzpatrick, name Geno Smith starter
Well, it appears the New York Jets are planning to make a quarterback change after all.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, head coach Todd Bowles will name Geno Smith the starting quarterback this week against the Baltimore Ravens. Ryan Fitzpatrick, who butted heads over his contract with the team all summer before signing on the eve of training camp, has been benched for ineffectiveness.
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Smith replaced Fitzpatrick against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday and threw an interception late in the 28-3 loss. Bowles hesitated when asked who his starter would be this week and later referred to Smith as a backup on a conference call with the media when asked about Smith saying he was “antsy” to play.
“They’re backups for a reason,” Bowles said. “If they get a chance to play, they better prove themselves to be worthy of playing, regardless of who that person is.”
Bowles apparently has had a change of heart on the matter.
Smith, who turned 26 last week, will start his first game since Week 14 of the 2014 season in a 37-24 win over the Miami Dolphins, which was one of his best career games. But he played sparingly in 2015 after suffering a broken jaw in a fight with then teammate IK Enemkpali during training camp and lost his starting role in the process. Smith served last season as the backup to Fitzpatrick, who had a strong 2015 and felt he should have been paid franchise QB money thereafter.
But this season has shown that Fitzpatrick, who turns 34 next month, might have overinflated his value. He leads the NFL in interceptions with 11 and has regressed badly since a big win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 — the Jets haven’t won since and sit at 1-5. Nine of Fitzpatrick’s INTs came in Weeks 3 and 4.
This would figure to be it for Fitzpatrick with the Jets. But how long a leash will Smith have? The schedule (vs. Baltimore, at Cleveland Browns, at Miami Dolphins) is not daunting at all prior to the Week 11 bye, so this is his chance to help revive his career that has been uneven to this point. But Bowles hasn’t appeared to be too warm and fuzzy with Smith and could have a quick hook if things go awry.
The Jets might also want to see what they have in Bryce Petty, a 2015 fourth-round pick, or Christian Hackenberg, a second-rounder this spring. Petty has just returned from a preseason shoulder injury and has only a week of practice under his belt since coming back. Hackenberg looked mostly awful in the preseason — nowhere close to being ready to play to the naked eye. But Bowles didn’t rule out either of them getting playing time this season.
So yes, the Jets’ quarterback situation is as unsettled as it appears.
It’s the Patriots, and everyone else: Week 6 recap
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!
