The New York Jets have defused the idea of a quarterback competition entering the 2015 season, but that does not mean other position battles will not be taking place as the team kicks off organized team activities with training camp around the corner. Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has said Smith will be the starting quarterback, but he is making no guarantees about the wide receiver or running back positions.
ESPN's Rich Cimini reports that the running back competition will be a headline to watch over the coming months. There was doubt regarding the run game for the Jets which forced the team to sign Stevan Ridley as a free agent. The team then traded for Zac Stacy from the St. Louis Rams after they drafted Todd Gurley. Now the Jets have five experienced backs including Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell and Daryl Richardson. The chances that the Jets enter the season with five backs are slim to none.
Ridley is coming off a knee injury and has been limited so far at practice. According to head coach Todd Bowles via the New York Post, Ridley is not ready for team drills yet. Stacy has no experience with the team and spend 2014 fighting for carries with the Rams. He requested the trade when Gurley was drafted and now the pressure is on for him to perform. The starter for the time being could end up being Ivory who is coming off his best season with the Jets and already has chemistry with Smith and the offensive line.
Devin Smith and Jeremy Kerley will be competing for the No. 3 wide receiver spot. According to NFL.com, Kerley is the favorite with the Jets at the moment simply because he and Smith have a connection, but the rookie could surprise many by stepping up in camp. The other issue is the tight end position. According to ESPNNewYork.com, Gailey is not a fan of a two tight end system in the offense he ran with the Buffalo Bills. That means Jace Amaro and Jeff Cumberland will be searching for the most carries.
Smith is the starting quarterback as Gailey made it clear he never considered Ryan Fitzpatrick or Bryce Petty for the spot. The pressure is on the third-year pro to step up and prove Gailey right.
"He's very talented. I have high hopes for him," Gailey said, via ESPN.com. "That's the way we expect it to be. Unless something happens with an injury, something that you don't foresee, that's how we anticipate it going."