New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles remained true to his when he made it clear he wanted to add another quarterback to the teams current rotation. Since the offseason began the Jets were linked to trade ups for both Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. There was also talk that Mike Glennon or Kirk Cousins were in the picture. However, instead the team drafted Bryce Petty which brings Geno Smith's future into question.
In the fourth round the Jets made the move to draft Petty who was considered the next-best quarterback outside of Mariota and Winston. Petty told the media that he certainly expected to go higher and is ready to show teams exactly what they overlooked. Petty will enter camp with the Jets in a quarterback battle with Smith and the newly acquired Ryan Fitzpatrick from the Texans. With Fitzpatrick still healing from a broken leg, Smith will be battling the rookie.
"It's all about the person," he said, via ESPN.com. "My desire is to be the best, regardless of what system I'm in. What I was asked to do in college was different, but it's not because I couldn't do a pro-style offense or a West Coast offense or whatever you want to call it. That's what I was asked to do, so I did it. My job is to prove to the 31 other teams what they're missing out on. ... My confidence is never shaken."
Smith's confidence is not shaken either. The quarterback has certainly heard all of the rumors regarding his status with New York, but told the media prior to the NFL Draft that the Jets were his team and he was planning on being the starting quarterback regardless of whether or not someone else is brought on.
"You have to expect anything, but going out there I believe this is my team," Smith said, via the New York Post. "I go out there and I work hard and try to lead the guys the best way that I can. I'm not going to sit here and talk about it. I want to lead this team the right way and I want to continue to get better as a player. There's always other guys. That's the nature of the business. There's always going to be competition. I've always welcomed it and I still do."
Smith has the backing of the Jets' roster. Both Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker have spoken out in support of Smith who will enter training camp as the top wide receiver. The Jets have taken the necessary steps to put players around him to make him successful. Even after the draft, ESPN reported the Jets acquired St. Louis Rams running back Zac Stacey. They also drafted Devin Smith for another wide receiver. However, if Smith struggles Jets' fans can expect Bowles to make an immediate change.
