New York Jets: Todd Bowles Remains Confident In Ryan Fitzpatrick

New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has struggled mightily the last two weeks but head coach Todd Bowles still believes he gives them the best chance to win.

The New York Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick have had a tumultuous two weeks. The Jets have been in games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks but have seen Fitzpatrick unravel. He has nine interceptions in his last two games, playing a big part in the two losses.

With a 1-3 record, the Jets are in serious trouble. Things will not be getting any easier, as they will head on the road the next two weeks; first visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers then the Arizona Cardinals. The Jets could use a shot in the arm, a jolt to get the team going. It will not be coming in the way of a quarterback change despite Fitzpatrick’s struggles.

Head coach Todd Bowles is still confident in Fitzpatrick, saying he is who gives the Jets the best chance to win. Based on the past two weeks it is easy to question Bowles’ thinking, but Rich Cimini of ESPN New York says he is basing that off Fitzpatrick’s play from last season. Anyone that has watched the Jets the past two weeks knows the Fitzpatrick from last season is nowhere to be found.

Fitzpatrick set a career and franchise record with 31 touchdowns last season but is not near that this season. Through four games, he has four touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions and four fumbles. Despite the struggles, Bowles has not wavered in saying that Fitzpatrick is his guy.

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“Right now, it’s chemistry, obviously,” Bowles said Monday, explaining why he remains committed to Fitzpatrick. “Everybody has an arm and can throw the football, but based on what he did last year and the things they accomplished last year, going into the season — from a confidence standpoint — he’s our best chance to win.”

There are some people clamoring for Geno Smith, and rightfully so. The performance that Fitzpatrick has put forth the past two weeks is what people were afraid Smith would provide; there is almost no way he can do worse than Fitzpatrick the last two weeks.

Despite those struggles, a change does not look to be on the horizon. When asked if a change would happen if the interceptions continue piling up, Bowles said, “We go game-by-game. I don’t foresee a change (at quarterback).” He also added that Fitzpatrick is fine when asked if he was on a short leash.

Fitzpatrick still has confidence in himself to run the team, saying, “I know I’m the right guy. We found ourselves in a little slump last year and came out of it. Throughout all my experiences and all the things I’ve been through in my career, I know I’m the right guy to get this thing headed in the right direction.”

He will have to start showing that on the field, or else a change will have to be made. Bowles cannot sit idly watching if Fitzpatrick has another game or two with multiple interceptions thrown. The nine in the last two games is the worst the NFL has seen in 30 years, but it is also telling of Smith’s standing with the coaching staff.

It would be difficult to find a coach that would leave a player in the game after three interceptions. Once you watch four and five happen, there is almost a zero percent chance they are put into a position to throw a sixth.

But that is what the Jets allowed with Fitzpatrick, who kept slinging it around and finding the hands of players in red and not green. The Steelers are a notoriously dominant team at Heinz Field, so it will be a tall task for Fitzpatrick and company.

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After seeing what the Steelers did to the same Chiefs on Sunday Night Football, the same Chiefs team that smoked the Jets, there cannot be much confidence from the fan base that the trip to the Steel City is a positive one for the Jets. It may not be long until Fitzpatrick forces Bowles hand and a quarterback change is made.

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