Geno Smith likes his chances of winning the starting quarterback job with the Jets, but you can’t start if you aren’t signed.
That’s no longer a problem for Smith. The Jets announced Monday morning that they have signed the second-round pick to his rookie contract, which means that there will be no delay in getting Smith into camp to resume his competition with Mark Sanchez.
Smith’s contract was negotiated by his representatives at Roc Nation Sports, who he hired after firing his original agents following his drop into the second round of the draft in April. The possible involvement of Jay-Z in Smith’s recruitment by the new agency that the rap icon helped start this year led to a NFLPA investigation, a process that’s proven to be a lot more complicated than the negotiation of Smith’s actual contract with the Jets.
Multiple reports from Jets beat writers have Sanchez as the favorite to start come the first week of the regular season, especially with Smith trying to learn offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s West Coast scheme. There’s been talk from the Jets about using Smith in a package of read-option plays, which might happen but would come despite the fact that Smith’s experience is entirely that of a pocket passer.
The Jets still need to sign first-round picks Dee Milliner and Sheldon Richardson to complete their entire draft class.