Todd Bowles is well aware that the one thing every Jets fan wants to know is the future of the quarterback position for the team. New York has not had consistent quarterback play for the past few seasons and that has brought the team down since Mark Sanchez brought them to back-to-back AFC Championship Games. New York is ready for a franchise quarterback to emerge and Bowles is making it clear that might not be Geno Smith.
The Jets acquired Smith two years ago in the second round. The former West Virginia star was expected to go as high as the No. 1 overall pick and ended up dropping to the second round. After two years in the NFL it is clear why. The Jets have been trying to remain faithful in Smith, but the quarterback has yet to get past those rookie struggles which resulted in benchings last season. Bowles told the media in his introductory press conference that he is not ready to make a call on Smith's future, but he will evaluate the quarterback heavily.
"I think it's an open slate right now," Bowles said, via the New York Post. "It won't be fair to say he is or isn't the quarterback. Geno obviously is a heck of a football player, but there's things we've got to evaluate and judge as a whole team. It's not just Geno, it's everybody. He's the focus because he's the quarterback, but everybody is going to be judged the same way. It's an open slate on everybody coming in."
New offensive coordinator Chan Gailey took the same stance saying that it was unfair to make a call on Smith at his time. He noted that the quarterback certainly has shown some signs of potential, but has also struggled with consistency in his two years. That has led to plenty of doubt regarding his future. The New York Post makes it clear that Smith will still be on the roster come next season as the trade market for the quarterback is next to none. However, that will not stop the team from exploring other options.
The Post believes the Jets will inquire about a trade up for either Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston. Armed with the No. 6 draft pick, the team could get to at least No. 2 in a deal with the Tennessee Titans to draft Winston. Getting the top pick from the Buccaneers could be costly. There are other options for the team like a deal for Jay Cutler or even Johnny Manziel while they could sign Brian Hoyer as a free agent. Bowles noted that the team expected to be major players in free agency so a big trade from someone like Cutler is unlikely.
