Ryan Fitzpatrick is back with the Jets and coach Todd Bowles confirmed for those with any doubt that he’s still on top of the team’s depth chart at a Thursday press conference.
That pushes Geno Smith back down to No. 2 after he spent the offseason running the offense while Fitzpatrick and the Jets did their extended contract tango. Smith knew enough to not be shocked by Fitzpatrick’s signing, but the news still delivered a blow to a player who was hoping for a chance to play in Week One.
“I’m not disappointed,” Smith said, via NJ.com. “I’m kind of pissed off. But it’s not a detrimental thing. It’s not something where I’m pissed off at anyone, because we all want to be out there. We all know that one quarterback gets to go out there on Day 1. That just adds fuel to the fire, but not in a negative way. I don’t want that to become like a headline or something like that, because it’s not what I’m trying to say. It’s more as a competitor, as a quarterback, knowing what I’m capable of, and really believing in myself, knowing the work that I put in over the offseason. You want to be out there. But you’ve just got to kind of play the cards that you’re dealt.”
Smith was asked if he was upset about being a backup and said he wasn’t and “explained [his feelings] very clearly” about wanting to be on the field.
During his press conference, Bowles shot down speculation that Smith’s roster spot could be in jeopardy because the Jets have four quarterbacks on the roster. He added that Smith would remain Fitzpatrick’s backup unless Bryce Petty or Christian Hackenberg put up “great” performances that forced a change in the order.