Even the Jets’ salary-cap is set up for Geno Smith to be the quarterback of the future. They have the room to give Smith a mega-contract down the line. The expectation in New York is that they’ve already found their guy.
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The situation isn’t perfect, but it’s improving. Perhaps Rex Ryan realized that he’s been asking too much of his quarterbacks in the past few seasons, because he and John Idzik made moves for running back Chris Johnson and wide receiver Eric Decker. If there’s been a more aggressive offensive offseason for the Jets under the Ryan-regime, I can’t remember. They even took a tight end in the second round in Jace Amaro.
So if the Jets are finally going to swim, now is their time. If they want to rise to the top of the AFC East, Geno Smith will play an essential — if not the most essential — role.
ESPN New York reporter Rich Cimini broke down Smith:
"He’s 8-8 as a starter and shows intriguing arm talent and mobility, but he has yet to prove that he can be a consistent winner in the league. The Jets expect (hope?) him to take a giant step in 2014, surrounding him with better talent than last year. A lot is riding on Smith, because if he flat lines or regresses, they will be back to square one, looking to draft Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston or another young gun next spring — along with a handful of other quarterback-needy teams."
It’s seems that Cimini has little faith in suspected backup Mike Vick. If Smith falters, then wouldn’t Vick step in and right the ship? Regardless, Smith’s development will be essential for the franchise for years to come.