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Todd Bowles Comments on Geno Smith's Status as Jets Backup QB
October 18, 2016
The New York Jets' season is already in jeopardy after a 1-5 start, which featured momentous struggles by their starting quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick's backup, Geno Smith, told ESPN's Lisa Salters before Monday night's 28-3 loss against the Arizona Cardinals that he was "getting antsy" to play, via Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.
Head coach Todd Bowles spoke with the media Tuesday, via Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday, about Smith's chances of earning a starting role: "They're backups for a reason, and if they get a chance to play, they better prove themselves to be worthy of playing, regardless of who the person is."
Smith has been the Jets backup since an ill-fated punch from former teammate IK Enemkpali broke his jaw prior to the 2015 season and opened the door for Fitzpatrick to start.
It forced Smith to relinquish his No. 1 role after starting his first two seasons in the league following his selection in the second round of the 2013 draft out of West Virginia. In 29 games, though, he compiled a meager 11-18 record.
Fitzpatrick took full advantage of Smith's absence and put up one of the best quarterbacking seasons in franchise history with 3,905 passing yards and 31 touchdowns compared to 15 interceptions, leading New York to a 10-6 record.
In 2016, though, Fitzpatrick has been picked off 11 times through his first six games, and it came to a pass in the fourth quarter of the loss against the Cardinals when he was benched in favor of Smith.
Smith would only attempt six passes, completing four for 31 yards while being picked off, but Fitzpatrick's performance had many, like the Good Morning Football crew, discussing if a change should be made:
After the game, Bowles said Fitzpatrick would be the starter for Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens and that Smith "played [the role of] a relief pitcher," via NFL.com.
Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.