Jets plan to name Geno Smith new starting quarterback
— -- FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Desperate for a spark, the New York Jets are turning to Geno Smith as their quarterback.
League sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that Smith will replace Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has compiled an 11-11 record as the Jets' starter over two seasons.
Smith will start Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, his first start since Dec. 28, 2014. He was the presumptive starter in 2015, but he lost the job in training camp when his jaw was broken in a locker room altercation with then-teammate IK Enemkpali.
Fitzpatrick replaced Smith and enjoyed a career year, but he has reverted to the mistake-prone ways from earlier in his career. He has thrown a league-high 11 interceptions, as the offense has managed only three touchdowns in the past four games -- all losses.
Fitzpatrick was pulled in the fourth quarter of Monday night's 28-3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. In one series of mop-up work, Smith completed four of six passes, but he fumbled on a sack (the Jets recovered) and threw an interception.
After the game, Bowles gave Fitzpatrick a vote of confidence, saying, "Fitz will be back next week. ... Fitz is our starter." But Tuesday, in a conference call with reporters, he walked back those comments, saying he needed to meet with his staff Tuesday night to discuss the position.
Smith might be only a bridge to one of the Jets' young quarterbacks, Bryce Petty or Christian Hackenberg. Bowles said it's "definitely possible" that one of them could start by the end of the season. The Jets (1-5) probably wouldn't turn to an inexperienced quarterback until they're mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
They're the only team in the league with four quarterbacks on the roster. Petty and Hackenberg are under contract for 2017; Smith and Fitzpatrick will be free agents.
This is a stunning fall for Fitzpatrick, who, after a long stalemate, signed a one-year, $12 million contract on the eve of training camp. He was considered the missing piece for a team that almost made the playoffs last season, but he hasn't been able to recapture that level of play.
Fitzpatrick passed for 374 yards in a Week 2 win over the Buffalo Bills, but he has managed only two touchdown passes (and 10 interceptions) since then.
Smith, a second-round pick in 2013, compiled an 11-18 starting record in his first two seasons. He flashed occasional glimpses of potential, but he had 34 interceptions and 71 sacks in those two years.
Bowles inherited Smith in 2015 and positioned him to become the starter, but everything changed when Enemkpali punched Smith in a dispute over a $600 plane ticket. By the time his jaw had healed, Smith was entrenched as the No. 2.
Smith worked with the starters during Fitzpatrick's contract dispute in the offseason, but he went back to bench when Fitzpatrick signed. In several interviews, Smith said he was "pissed off." On Monday night, he told ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters he was "getting antsy" to play.
That resulted in a rebuke from Bowles.
"I don't have any thoughts on backup players saying anything," Bowles said Tuesday. "They're backups for a reason. If they get a chance to play, they better prove themselves to be worthy of playing regardless of who that person is."
He's not a backup anymore.
