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New York Jets: Todd Bowles Selling Hope for Geno Smith

By Maurice Moton

August 11, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles answers questions about Geno Smith (not pictured) after the New York Jets hold practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
August 11, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles answers questions about Geno Smith (not pictured) after the New York Jets hold practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles could be coming to terms with Geno Smith starting at quarterback for the upcoming season.

According to NJ.com reporter Darryl Slater, Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t renew the lease on his New Jersey home in Morris County. Right on cue, New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles has begun to sell hope for quarterback Geno Smith.

According to New York Daily News reporter Manish Mehta, Bowles commented on Smith’s ability to lead the offense in the upcoming season:

"I think Geno can be a good starter, but he’s got to prove it in training camp like everybody else. It’s not just about the quarterback position. You got to have a team around that position to play ball, but he’s been in the system a year. He has a better grasp of it going into training camp and we’ll see what he does."

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Of course, Bowles won’t just give the starting job to Smith, but does he have a good alternative?

Unless quarterback Bryce Petty has stepped up his Madden play or rookie Christian Hackenberg shocks the coaching staff, Smith will be the guy.

Bowles touched on something worth noting, which speaks to a larger point about the Jets’ supporting cast. In the above quote, he said it’s not only about the quarterback position.

Keep in mind, Fitzpatrick walked into a favorable situation with wideouts Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall on the perimeter and a bruising running back behind him. In coach speak, Bowles subtly says, let’s see what Smith can do with similar weapons from the previous season.

Running back Chris Ivory signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the offseason. Matt Forte will replace the AFC’s leading rusher in 2015.

However, the Jets will employ a time-share system in the backfield to preserve the eighth-year veteran, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. If Smith starts, he’ll have tight end Jace Amaro back on the field; he missed the entire 2015 season with a shoulder injury.

While Bowles sells Smith as a solid option on the field, skeptics don’t trust his leadership skills. After a punch to face cost him a starting spot, there are lingering questions about maturity.

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A year older and hopefully wiser, Smith can extend his relevancy in the NFL with a solid year on an expiring contract. Who knows? Maybe, the Jets would consider re-signing him for the short term to serve as a stopgap for Hackenberg.

We shouldn’t eliminate Fitzpatrick out of the Jets’ quarterback picture. However, the decision to place his home on the market, not returning Marshall’s texts and Bowles’ latest message in full support of Smith makes you wonder if it’s time to move on at quarterback.

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