Geno Smith has one thing in mind as he heads toward free agency this offseason — landing another starting job in the NFL.
Smith, who signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants last year, has appeared in just five games over the last three seasons. He’s had very few chances to prove himself, but the 27-year-old believes he has done enough to earn a first-string role.
“Yeah, I think so,” he said when asked if he should be a starter, per John Healy of the New York Daily News. “Watch the tape. You’ll see it.”
The problem for Smith is there isn’t much tape. In two games with the Giants this season, he completed 21 of 36 pass attempts for 212 yards and a touchdown. His career numbers are even less impressive, as he has thrown more interceptions (36) than touchdowns (29). He has also fumbled 10 times, including twice in his lone start earlier this year.
For Week 17, Smith has been demoted to third string behind rookie Davis Webb. He insists he is not taking it personally.
“It’s not one of those things I took personal,” Smith said. “I know that it has nothing to do with me, personally, so I’m not going to take it that way and that’s all I can say about that.”
Smith was coming off ACL surgery last offseason when he signed with the Giants, and he believes not being injured heading into free agency this time will boost his stock. He said he has made great strides this season despite his limiting playing time.
“I learned a lot. Grown a lot,” Smith said. “That’s something that is going to continue to happen with me because I take that approach every single day I walk into the building. … I continue to work, continue to support my teammates and be the same guy every day.”
It seems highly unlikely that a team will sign Smith to be a starter, but you can’t blame him for sounding confident. He has always been outspoken when talking himself up, so there’s no reason to change now.
