The New York Jets may or may not have a quarterback competition taking place in OTAs and training camp. According to offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, Geno Smith is the starter. According to head coach Todd Bowles, nothing is guaranteed. Smith is entering a very critical third season with the team that could make or break his future while Ryan Fitzpatrick is making it clear that he wants a battle for the Week 1 starter spot.
The Jets traded for Fitzpatrick from the Houston Texans at the start of the offseason while considering whether or not to draft a quarterback as well. The Jets continued to endorse the future of Smith, but showed very little commitment to him. Fitzpatrick came to the team nursing a broken leg suffered back in December, but was expected to contend for the starting spot. However, Smith has been placed at the top of the depth chart while the veteran has yet to fully participate in team practice. Now, Fitzpatrick is making it clear that he wants to be under center or at least compete for the job.
"For me, I'm always going to be ready, no matter what is said or what is not said," Fitzpatrick said, via NJ.com. "That's kind of my approach and how I take it. I think with coach Bowles, the thing that he's made clear to everybody in this locker room is you're going to have to earn your spot. I think there's a ton of respect for him. If you look at the kind of coach that he's been, and the successes he's had with his defenses, he's always played the best guys. We're all in here trying to win, and so I think that's certainly going to be the case, that he's going to put the best guys out there."
If there is a quarterback competition, it is likely between Smith and Fitzpatrick. According to the New York Post, Bryce Petty is being viewed as a project quarterback. While everyone knows of his arm strength, Petty did not exactly blow people away during rookie minicamp. Bowles was clear that the rookie had a long ways to go, but has a high potential in the league.
Outside of the quarterback position, the running back battle will be one to watch. In the second week of OTAs, Chris Ivory has been taking plenty of first-team snaps while the recently signed Stevan Ridley heals from a knee injury. Zac Stacy is also fighting for carries in the crowded backfield. It is uncertain exactly who will get the nod for Week 1. The New York Daily News predicted the job would be Ridley's, but since he is still not healthy it is up for grabs.
