Skip to content

Geno Smith: I'm open to being a backup

Brace Hemmelgarn / USA TODAY Sports

Geno Smith is candidly appraising his own ability with free agency on the horizon.

The 26-year-old is one of the best quarterbacks available from an admittedly barren class, after playing sparingly during the past two seasons, in large part due to injuries.

Ahead of the new league year, Smith is entertaining the idea of accepting a reduced role, before proving himself to be a starting-caliber quarterback.

"Of course, I'm open to (being a backup)," Smith said to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "That's not my goal, I don't see myself as that. I was brought into this league, I was brought to the Jets to be a certain caliber of player.

"Being injured for two years has kind of taken that away from me. My mistakes were shown on the field the first two years, and then me getting better has kind of been behind the scenes. The next time I step onto the field, it'll be what they expect. People want to see you get better, they want to see you move past your mistakes. I've done that, just behind the scenes."

Smith last saw meaningful playing time during the 2014 season, when he completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 2,525 yards and 13 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. After four campaigns with the New York Jets, Smith could find himself on another roster by next month.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox