Todd Bowles: Geno Smith is currently the Jets’ starting quarterback

If you don’t believe all the Jets’ protestations about wanting Ryan Fitzpatrick back, perhaps this will serve as some proof.

Coach Todd Bowles admitted Friday that, as things stand, Geno Smith is the team’s starting quarterback.

“Without Fitz being on the team right now, Geno’s first-team and then we’ll go from there,” Bowles said, via Eric Allen of the team’s official website. “Obviously we’re still working on a deal if we can get Fitzpatrick back. So until that’s addressed and we take care of that situation right now, Geno will go into OTAs as a starter.”

It’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for Smith. It sounds like they’re committed to him only until they find something better.

The Jets have emphasized that their selection of Christian Hackenberg has no bearing on their pursuit of Fitzpatrick. Their real problem is that Fitzpatrick was seriously put off by their offer. New York holds the leverage, though, and it’s very difficult to envision them going into the season without adding another quarterback, even if it is someone other than Fitzpatrick.