The New York Jets have finally reached an agreement with Ryan Fitzpatrick on a one-year, $12 million deal, but that does not mean Geno Smith is ready to accept spending another season as a backup.
Smith has been having a good offseason thus far, and NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports that he is “intent” on battling with Fitzpatrick for the starting job.
What does the Fitzpatrick signing mean for Geno Smith? I'm told Smith is intent on building on his solid offseason & fighting for #Jets job
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 28, 2016
Fitzpatrick led the Jets to a 10-6 record last season while throwing a franchise-record 31 touchdown passes. He already has the support of his veteran teammates, who are undoubtedly thrilled that the 33-year-old is coming back for another season.
Smith is still young and has plenty of room to improve, but we saw earlier this year how Jets fans feel about him. It would likely take a Fitzpatrick injury for Smith to be named the starter in Week 1.
