Ryan Fitzpatrick to remain Jets starter despite struggling offense
Before he was inserted in the fourth quarter of the game, backup quarterback Geno Smith vented his frustration on Monday night over the continued struggles of Ryan Fitzpatrick and the New York Jets offense.
The Jets offense continued to sputter under Fitzpatrick’s direction in Monday night’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.
New York punted on seven of their first eight drives, with the lone exception a 39-yard field goal. The ninth drive with Fitzpatrick under center ended in an interception. Head coach Todd Bowles inserted Smith mid-way the fourth quarter.
Before the quarterback switch, Smith seemed visibly frustrated on the sidelines.
Jets backup QB Geno Smith just took off his baseball and flung it. He's pacing on the sideline, making it clear... https://t.co/n0FHRk9TI9
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) October 18, 2016
Geno Smith just threw a cup of ice toward the field of play. His body language screams, "Put me in!" #NYJvsAZ
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) October 18, 2016
He also indicated his displeasure earlier in the day, telling ESPN’s Lisa Salters “I’m getting antsy.” Smith threw an interception on his first drive under center.
The Jets could only muster 230 yards of total offense against Arizona and were 2–13 on third down.
Despite the calls for his job, Bowles said that Fitzpatrick will be the team's starter next Sunday at home against the Baltimore Ravens.
"It's not that I have no confidence in Geno," Bowles said. "We have two quarterbacks that can play right now. Fitz is our starter. Anybody back there would've been under duress today."
Fitzpatrick is last among all qualified quarterbacks in the NFL in completion percentage, passer rating and leads the NFL in interceptions thrown.
- Dan Gartland and Scooby Axson