Report: Rex Ryan wanted to keep Michael Vick as Jets starter
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and the "majority" of the organization, including players, wanted to keep Michael Vick as the team's starter at quarterback over Geno Smith, reports the New York Daily News.
The Jets announced Wednesday that Smith will start Monday night's game against the Miami Dolphins and Ryan informed the team of the switch that morning.
On Wednesday, the New York Post reported that Ryan has known since the offseason that the Jets plan to fire him after this season. Ryan said "everybody" was on board with starting Smith over Vick, but the Daily News reports Ryan preferred Vick but appeased his superiors, general manager John Idzik and owner Woody Johnson, "to avoid conflict on his way out."
• BURKE: Smith named starter, first of many changes to come for Jets
Smith started the season's first eight games but was benched after throwing three interceptions in the first quarter of a Week 8 loss to the Buffalo Bills. New York went 1-7 over those eight starts, and Smith completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,459 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Smith was the league's lowest rated quarterback at the time he was benched.
The 34-year-old Vick started the next three games, and lead the Jets to a 20-13 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10. He was benched in favor of Smith during Monday's 38-3 loss to the Bills. Vick has passed for 604 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions and has 153 rushing yards.
The Jets are 2-9 heading into Monday's game against Miami.
- Molly Geary
