Geno Smith won’t be starting for the New York Jets in Saturday’s all important third preseason game against the New York Giants. In fact, due to an extended training camp battle with Bryce Petty, Smith isn’t even guaranteed to be the second man on the depth chart.
Jets coach Todd Bowles was evasive on his QB depth chart. Declined to say who will be the No. 2 vs the Giants. https://t.co/R2H9McMspz
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 21, 2016
This is hardly surprising news. On Saturday, it was revealed that Smith and Petty were locked in a battle for the backup job.
The problem for Smith is that he should have an inside track to this job. He’s been Gang Green’s starting quarterback in the past. He was the presumed starter if Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t sign. Yes, Petty has had a nice training camp and preseason, but he hasn’t played quarterback in a single regular season NFL game. Smith, on the other hand, has 29 starts to his credit.
Of course, Petty’s strong play is helping create this indecision, but it’s unlikely that any of it would trump Smith’s experience if Smith were having even a decent training camp/preseason.
The game against Big Blue may not be the one to circle for Jets’ fans wanting to know how the backup quarterback battle will break out. Starters often play big minutes in the third preseason game, and given Fitzpatrick’s extended offseason, that seems even more likely.
Smith and Petty will likely only get a few possessions.
But in the fourth and final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, multiple possessions should be expected for both. Smith certainly can’t waste whatever chances he gets. If he does, he may find himself out of a job, or running the practice squad as New York’s third stringer.