While the New York Jets have hinted that Geno Smith will be the starting quarterback come Week 1 of the 2015 season, nothing is being handed to the third-year pro. Under new head coach Todd Bowles and offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, Smith's job has never been safe considering all of the personnel decisions. However, the team gave him the silent endorsement by not trading up for Marcus Mariota. Just because Smith is the expected starter does not mean there cannot be a change at the top.
Bowles is making it clear that Smith is at the top of the depth chart, but there will definitely be a quarterback competition during OTAs and training camp as he naturally wants the best player under center for the season. The Jets traded for Ryan Fitzpatrick at the start of the offseason before drafting Bryce Petty out of Baylor to add to the roster that already included Matt Simms. Bowles is hoping the idea of a competition pushes improvement from everyone.
"I view it as an open competition, with Geno being the starter," Bowles said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "It's his to lose. It's Ryan's to take. It's Bryce's to take. It's Matt's to take. Come camp time, there will be competition at that spot. I've said it from Day 1."
Right now, the competition is between Smith and Petty. Fitzpatrick joined the Jets fresh off a broken leg suffered in December and has yet to fully heal. Fitzpatrick told the media that he expects to be fully healthy come training camp, but that means he is missing crucial time to gain chemistry with the Jets receiving corps. Petty on the other hand is not expected to contend for the starting job. According to the New York Post, the Baylor star is viewed more as a project quarterback. He struggled in rookie minicamp, missing throws and never gaining control. This time without Fitzpatrick could at least give him a leg up on the backup role.
It is now or never for Smith. The Jets loaded up on offensive weapons for him to work with. Devin Smith comes in to help the receiving game. Stevan Ridley and Zac Stacy were added to the ground game. If he cannot get the Jets back into contention this season, he could see himself released in 2016. Smith admits that he knows he is on thin ice in this crucial season, but he is merely focused on leading the team and getting wins.
"I always felt it was my job to go out and lead this team," Curry said. "That's the way I look at it. It's not going to change my approach or the way I go about my business. I look at myself as the type of guy who can lead this team and do the right things."