Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to do everything needed to stay under center. The quarterback just got the win over the Miami Dolphins and while he might not be the most exciting player to watch, he does what is needed to make the plays and get the points. The New York Jets have no reason to replace him which means Geno Smith continues to sit on the sidelines with clouds hanging over his future.
Smith is healthy. The quarterback has been cleared and is active now following the broken jaw suffered in training camp. However, the Jets have no reason to play him right now with Fitzpatrick playing as well as he is. There was a moment in the Week 3 loss where Smith was in talks to go into the game, but a strong Week 4 performance put that to bed. Smith might have more athleticism and potentially a higher ceiling of potential, but Fitzpatrick has the not hand and the quarterback is not getting the time to prove that he is the guy for the future.
"You want to say, OK, it's Fitz's team? But that's kind of pinning me and him against each other. We're all in this thing together. It's a collective bond, and it was that way when I was projected the starter and when I got hurt it was that way. And right now it's the same way," Smith said, via the New York Post.
The Jets had doubt in Smith before he was taken out of the game. The Jets signed Fitzpatrick because they were not ready to fully trust that Smith has made enough improvements. If the quarterback does not get on the field this season, his future could be in jeopardy as the Jets looked at QB options last offseason and could very well do so again. While Fitzpatrick might be one bad start away from getting benched. Todd Bowles likes what he sees in the veteran and will keep him under center.
It is clear that Fitzpatrick's understanding of Chan Gailey's offense has given him the advantage in the quarterback race. It also helps that the Jets have the right personnel to help the quarterback Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are getting the job done while Chris Ivory continues to thrive this season as the leading rusher. The Jets are also getting back a potential x-factor in Devin Smith who is now active after a rib injury. The Jets like what they see in the rookie who could move into the No.3 slot over Jeremy Kerley and Chris Owusu.
