The chances of Geno Smith seeing the field again as a starter this season is very slim. The New York Jets quarterback has been benched in favor of Michael Vick, a move that is expected to remain permanent for the rest of the season. However, what happens when the year is done and the Jets have a high draft pick to work with? With Vick playing on expired time and Smith looking like an experiment gone wrong, do the Jets make a move?
The New York Daily News reports that Smith could be out if Rex Ryan and John Idzik get fired, something that could very easily happen. If New York finishes this season in the dismal fashion they have been putting forth so far, changes will happen. Owner Woody Johnson will aim to clean house and Ryan and Idzik would be the first out. With a new coaching regime in place, certain players could be gone.
Smith could be done whether there is a new coach/general manager regime or not. Both Ryan and Idzik have questioned the long-term future of Smith, noting they are not positive the franchise quarterback is already on the roster. That could push the team to draft someone like Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota in hopes of either moving them in as the permanent starter or drive competition to help Smith improve.
Is a rookie the best option? If Vick plays well in this next stint of games, he could earn another contract with New York. The quarterback said that he loves playing in New York and with the Jets, but does not know if they feel the same way. A lot of that will hinge on how he plays in the next few weeks. If Vick struggles, players like Ryan Mallett or Brian Hoyer could be a target.
There is also concern about Percy Harvin and whether or not a new coaching staff will keep the wide receiver around. Harvin's reputation as a locker room headache hurts his potential future with the team in first place, not to mention he has yet to really contribute since getting dealt. It would not cost the Jets anything to simply release him in the offseason and they could easily just chalk the traded draft pick as a loss.
New coaches and general managers certainly put a lot of future's in doubt, but the quarterback will take the spotlight.
