Geno Smith was looked at as the future of the New York Jets franchise. The quarterback was selected in the second round and took over for Mark Sanchez. After a roller coaster two season in the league, Smith entered the 2015 season as the assumed starter until a broken jaw let Ryan Fitzpatrick take over and lead the team to an improved season. With head coach Todd Bowles looking to bring back Fitzpatrick, is Smith looking to move on?
At 25, Smith has his whole career in front of him and he knows it. The quarterback told the New York Post that he fully believes in his talent and his NFL career as he aims to be a starting quarterback once again with the Jets or elsewhere. At the moment, Smith is preparing for a starting quarterback battle in 2016 as he is hopeful he still stands a chance to play with the Jets.
"When I came in, from day one I wanted to play and that's never going to change," Smith said, via Seth Walder of the New York Daily News. "I want to be out there. I want to compete. I guess if you're saying I don't have an opportunity here, I don't believe that. We don't know what's going to transpire, we don't know what's gonna happen. We have to see. No one can predict the future. I know that you guys like to. You like to think that you know everything. But we'll see."
Smith told the Post that Bowles gives everyone the chance to compete for the spot which he intends to do. The issue is that Bowles is making it clear that Fitzpatrick is a priority this offseason as they intend for him to come back and be the starter once again. That could push Smith out of the mix especially if Bryce Petty develops in the offseason. Everyone is endorsing Fitzpatrick as players like Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker favor the veteran for the future. Bowles is hopeful the team can get a contract done quickly.
"Obviously, it's a pretty high priority," Bowles said, via ESPN.com. "He's the quarterback. He had a great year for us. We want him back. If he comes back, he'll be the starter."
The Jets and Bowles are not interested in quarterback drama in the upcoming season. Bowles took no time naming Fitzpatrick the future starter of the franchise. That makes the futures of Smith and Petty unknown at this time and could force changes in the coming months.
