Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Jets HC Todd Bowles will give Geno Smith a fair chance to keep the starting job and show what he can do with the opportunity now that he’s taken over for Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Rapoport adds that the Jets won’t have a short leash for Smith, who hasn’t started a game since the 2014 season.
According to Rapoport, there has been dissatisfaction with Fitzpatrick’s play for some time, and some even believe that he is the main reason for their struggles this season.
After the Jets re-signed Fitzpatrick, sources told Rapoport that Smith wanted to be traded and told people close to him as much. The Jets reportedly made Smith available for trade but teams wound up showing more interest in Bryce Petty that him.
Even with the disappointing start and a quarterback change, Jets owner Woody Johnson has made it clear that he’s sticking by Bowles.
“We’re trying to win games here. He’s been making good choices,” Johnson said. “He think this will accomplish that objection. … The season goes through, you constantly adjust the team. You don’t generally adjust the QB as much, but in this case, the coach made the decision and I’m behind him 100 percent.”
Smith, 26, is a former second-round pick of the Jets back in 2013. He’s currently in the final year of his four-year, $5.019 million contract and stands to make a base salary of $675,000 for the 2016 season before testing the open mark next year.
In 2016, Smith has appeared in one game and completed 4-of-6 passes for 31 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception.
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