Geno Smith is healthy and ready to play. The quarterback has returned to the field for the New York Jets, but someone else is occupying his spot. The Jets are currently 2-0 on the season thanks to Ryan Fitzpatrick running the show and that is not changing anytime soon. As the Jets favor the veteran, where does that leave Smith for the future?
Head coach Todd Bowles is making it clear that Fitzpatrick is the team's starting quarterback. After Smith was injured, Bowles made it clear that he would stick with the hot hand at the position and right now that is Fitzpatrick leaving the third-year pro to battle for his spot on the team for the short-term and potentially the long-term.
"Ryan is the starting quarterback right now," said Bowles, via ESPN.com. "I mean, we're going good. We have good chemistry and everything else. Geno understands that. As we go, Ryan is our starting quarterback, and we'll go forward from there."
According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, Smith is now battling Bryce Petty for the backup spot as he could be activated for Week 3 play against the Philadelphia Eagles. After missing the entire preseason due to a broken jaw, Smith is just getting in work with the offense and is no longer the best option to put under center. This is leaving the quarterback's future in flux. Fitzpatrick is not the long-term option in New York and Smith is out to prove that he can be that guy, but right now he is not going to get the opportunity to show it on the field.
"He has to get the physical reps and get used to being out there again," Bowles said. "But his mental side has been sharp. He was sharp out there today. If Bryce is playing better and Geno doesn't have a grasp of everything we're trying to do, it'll be Bryce. If Geno has a grasp of everything and he looks good, and we feel good about him, we'll go with Geno."
The Jets have several players fighting for a future with the team. Wide receiver injuries have given Jeremy Kerley another shot at proving himself as Eric Decker deals with a knee injury and Chris Owusu also deals with issues. Kerley's fall on the depth chart has been steep. The wide receiver admitted he was not happy to not be starting and now he has a chance to get some work in.
"I don't know what it is," Kerley said, via ESPN.com. "I'm not trying to put my finger on it. All I'm trying to do is go out and make myself better in practice. And when I get to the games, like I said, I stay ready all the time."
With Decker and Owusu potentially out, Kerley is likely the best option to step up with Brandon Marshall. The team has worked out veterans like Terrelle Pryor while also having Quincy Enunwa as an option.
