New York Jets rookie Geno Smith is reportedly "two turnover-free quarters" away on Sunday from clinching the starting quarterback job for Week 1. The quarterback competition has been a "charade," with the organization planning to start Smith over Mark Sanchez from the beginning, NY Daily News reports.
Jets general manager John Idzik planned from the beginning to start Smith for Week 1. Provided the rookie plays well and doesn't commit any turnovers during Sunday's preseason game, the job belongs to Smith, according to Manish Mehta of The News.
Mehta went on to characterize the "fair and open" competition between Smith and Sanchez as a "charade," with the organization gunning from the beginning to start Smith as long as the quarterback proved capable enough under center. Barring an exceptionally poor performance on Sunday from Smith or any setbacks with his ankle, Sanchez appears finished in New York.
Idzik said earlier this offseason he'd have a "pretty big role" in choosing the starting quarterback, seemingly undermining the coach he inherited from the Tannenbaum regime. Smith is the first-year general manager's handpicked quarterback, and it makes sense Idzik would want to tie his future to someone of his own choosing.
Sanchez's 52 turnovers over the last two seasons didn't win Idzik over, and the fifth-year pro's less-than-inspiring preseason performance appears to be the last nail in the coffin.
If coach Rex Ryan can't win with Smith, a coaching change is likely in store for next season.
With the fourth and final preseason game just over a week away, a starter could be named early next week.
