Geno Smith Says He's "Way Too Talented" to be a Backup Quarterback

Geno Smith is waiting for his opportunity to start in the NFL again.

Vincent Carchietta
USA Today Sports

Image via USA Today Sports

Vincent Carchietta

Doesn’t it feel like forever ago that Geno Smith was the Jets’ starting quarterback? Surprisingly, he’s still only 25, and while he sits behind starter Ryan Fitzpatrick, Smith expects his opportunity to start will come soon—whether it’s with New York or another NFL team.

"It's going to come," he told Bleacher Report’s Tyler Dunne in a story published Friday. "I'm way too talented."

Smith also told B/R that he was “pissed off” when the Jets re-signed Fitzpatrick this offseason. Smith had been taking all the first-team reps, and he was the presumed Day One starter.

“I’m still pissed off,” he said, adding that the Jets’ decision to re-sign Fitzpatrick has been fuel for Smith’s workouts.

It’s worth noting that Smith and Fitzpatrick have a very good relationship. The former West Virginia quarterback just thinks he deserves the opportunity to start, somewhere. Smith was asked if he should be New York’s starter.

"I'm not going to go there right now," he said. "I believe in myself. I was the starting quarterback at one point. I don't see why I can't be."

He’s on a mission to make it back on the field. Smith started in each of his first two years in the NFL, but before his third year his career was unceremoniously interrupted when he was punched in the jaw by backup linebacker IK Enemkpali.

Fitzpatrick threw six interceptions last week. Throughout his career, he’s been an all-time heat check guy—when he’s on, he’s really on, and when he’s off, he’s really off.

That’s not to say Smith is going to take Fitzpatrick's place, but don’t be surprised if you see Geno taking snaps somewhere soon. His contract is up at the end of this year, and someone is bound to give him a shot.

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