Fansided

Rex Ryan Says Geno Smith Handling Demotion Well

Oct 26, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws the ball against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws the ball against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan says quarterback Geno Smith is handling his demotion the right way.

Even though the Jets went with Michael Vick last Sunday and intend to do so again this Sunday, coach Rex Ryan says he likes the way Geno Smith has handled his demotion. According to Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk, Ryan said Smith is doing everything he needs to do, to be prepared as a starter, but as a backup.

More from New York Jets

Rex Ryan spoke at length to Kimberly Martin of Newsday on Smith’s demotion and whether he’ll play soon in the future.

"“I don’t think any player likes it,” Ryan said. “But I think he approached it the right way.”"

The Jets head coach says he isn’t looking past the next game in deciding whether Smith will have an opportunity to play again. The Jets are going with Michael Vick to start at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Vick went through league concussion protocol last Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs after slamming his head on the turf in the fourth quarter. Vick left for a series to go through concussion tests, but returned to finish out the game.

Ryan revealed that Vick’s foot could be more of an issue than lingering concussion symptoms. He said the quarterback’s foot “keeps getting stepped on” and the team is keeping an eye on it.

Geno Smith initially raised a few eyebrows with his bland reaction to his own benching, saying that he just went on with his day.

More from FanSided