Jets coach Todd Bowles confirmed that quarterback Geno Smith would be out for the year with a torn ACL, and he’s not ready to start experimenting with other quarterbacks yet.
Bowles just told reporters that Ryan Fitzpatrick would start this week, with Smith going to injured reserve.
Fitzpatrick had just been benched the week before, and said after the game he was angry because he felt abandoned by the organization.
“If pissed off is going to stop the turnovers I’m more than happy to have him pissed off the whole time,” Bowles said.
Fitzpatrick had thrown 11 interceptions in his first six starts, with just five touchdowns.
The Jets are 2-5 and close to the point when it’s reasonable to find out if Bryce Petty and/or Christian Hackenberg can play. With the 0-7 Browns on deck, it was reasonable to wonder if it was time to look to the future.
But getting to 3-5 at the midway point in the season would still leave some reason for hope, and Fitzpatrick likely still provides the best cause for that.