How Long Till Ryan Fitzpatrick Starts For the New York Jets?

When the New York Jets acquired Ryan Fitzpatrick from the Houston Texans there were many fans that were relieved. It meant the team was no going to be forced to suffer another season at the hands of Geno Smith. Fitzpatrick didn't exactly light it up in Houston, but certainly played much better than Smith has. Todd Bowles isn't going to just hand him the job though. Fitzpatrick is going to have to win it.

That is not going to be as easy as it sounds.



Fitzpatrick is still recovering from the broken leg that ended his season last year. He is not expected to be in any condition to participate in OTA's when they start up.

"He'll be involved in some of the offseason stuff...But again, taking it into consideration, too, the rehabilitation for his injuries. He may be limited to a certain degree in the OTAs."

He will be able to study the offense of course and do all the classroom work he needs to to learn the offense, but there is no replacing actually being on the field and running the offense with the team. So while he recovers Geno Smith and Matt Simms will be getting additional reps.

Does this mean the Jets are going to be stuck with Smith when the season starts? Absolutely not! What is going to matter most when it comes to making that decision is not going to be anything that occurs during OTAs. Training camp is what matters and he is expected to be just fine when training camp starts.

So--when will Fitzpatrick start? Look for the Beard to be behind center in Week One still. It is hard to imagine a scenario when Smith outplays Fitzpatrick during the preseason. While Smith was drafted to be the quarterback of the future he has not earned it.

Since Bowles didn't draft him he is not going to feel compelled to start him.

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