Jets' Rex Ryan says Geno Smith is 'best way to go' at QB
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan continues to support quarterback Geno Smith. "I think Geno is the best way to go right now," Ryan told reporters Monday. He also called Smith "a great pick" by GM John Idzik.
The Jets are 1-5 after losing to the Broncos on Sunday. Their five-game losing streak is the longest under Rex Ryan. They have finished below .500 once in Ryan's first five seasons with the team.
With the Jets trailing by a touchdown Sunday, Smith threw an interception with 23 seconds left. The Broncos' Aqib Talib returned the interception 22 yards for a touchdown.
Smith, 24, was a second-round draft pick in 2013. He started all 16 games for the Jets last season, with an 8-8 record. He has started each of New York's six games this season.
• Rex Ryan: Jets will be 'far from an embarrassment' when season ends
Smith was the Jets' leading rusher on Sunday with 11 yards. As a team, the Jets had 31 yards, the fewest of Ryan's tenure.
Smith completed 82 percent of his passes in the Jets' Week 1 game against the Raiders. In his next five games, he completed 52 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and six interceptions.
• Report: Jets fear Dee Milliner, Brian Winters have season-ending injuries
During the team's Week 5 loss to the Chargers, Ryan pulled Smith from the game after he completed four of 12 pass attempts for 27 yards. Backup Michael Vick completed eight of 19 passes for 47 yards in relief. After the game, Ryan confirmed that Smith would start in Week 6.
The Jets will play the Patriots on Thursday night in Foxborough.
- Dan Gartland