New York Jets Officially Make Geno Smith Starter, Bench Ryan Fitzpatrick

Well, it looks like the Ryan Fitzpatrick era (which lasted one year) has come to an end with the New York Jets. Numerous reports have indicated that Head Coach Todd Bowles has named Geno Smith the starter for next week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.

This is hardly a surprise given Fitzpatrick play this season. Fitzpatrick leads the NFL in interceptions so far with 11, and he has yet to throw a single touchdown pass in the second of any game. His constant turnovers in the red zone have been absolute drive killers for the Jets this year. Last season Fitzpatrick threw 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, but like we’ve all seen in the past, Fitzpatrick can’t have two consecutive productive seasons.

Fitzpatrick complained and held out all offseason long for a new long-term contract. The Jets (wisely) never gave in, and the two parties finally agreed on a one year deal. At 1-5, the Jets season is basically over, especially given the fact that Darrelle Revis isn’t himself and Eric Decker was recently put on injured reserve.

Smith was drafted in the second round in 2013 by the Jets, but he hasn’t exactly lived up to the hype. In Smith’s young career, he has thrown 27 touchdowns and 36 interceptions while completing under 58 percent of his passes. Smith is just 11-18 as a starter and he hasn’t started a game since 2014.

This could very well be both Fitzpatrick and Smith’s final year with the Jets. Smith is playing under the final year of his rookie contract while Fitzpatrick blew his opportunity playing under a one year deal to later cash in.

Because of so much uncertainty at the position, the Jets have drafted numerous quarterbacks in recent years. This previous draft, the Jets selected Christian Hackenberg out of Penn State in the second round, and last year Baylor’s Bryce Petty in the fourth round.