Todd Bowles says Ryan Fitzpatrick will start at QB, 'no debate' over Bryce Petty
Not only is Todd Bowles sticking with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback, but the New York Jets coach said Monday he didn't give it a second thought.
Fan favorite Bryce Petty never merited consideration for this week, according to Bowles.
"There was no decision. I knew all along," said Bowles, who was publicly noncommittal Sunday night after a 22-17 loss to the New England Patriots.
Bowles said he informed general manager Mike Maccagnan and the coaching staff of his decision on Monday morning, adding, "There was no debate."
Asked if Maccagnan supported his choice, Bowles said simply, "Yep."
The Jets host the Indianapolis Colts (5-6) next Monday night.
Fitzpatrick played well against the Patriots, passing for 269 yards and two touchdowns. But the Jets are 3-8 -- on the verge of being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Fitzpatrick is tied with Houston'sBrock Osweiler as the lowest-rated starting quarterback in the NFL (72.2).
Fans and media are clamoring for Bowles to turn the remainder of the season into a Petty audition, but the coach isn't ready to shift into evaluation mode just yet.
"It's not about Bryce, it's not about Fitz," Bowles said. "It's about our team trying to win ballgames. Right now, Fitz is our starter. He gives us a good chance to win.
"Bryce is getting better. He got a lot of experience against the Rams [on Nov. 13]. He's going to get a lot more experience as time goes on, just not right now."
Petty made his starting debut against the Rams because Fitzpatrick (sprained knee) wasn't 100 percent, although he dressed as the No. 2 quarterback. Petty, a fourth-round pick in 2015, received only lukewarm reviews for his 163-yard, one-touchdown, one-interception performance.
Still, many thought he'd be elevated to the starting role because the Jets are out of contention. But Bowles has remained steadfastly committed to the embattled Fitzpatrick, who signed a one-year, $12 million contract in July.
"There's a curiosity with all the young guys backing up right now, but that doesn't mean I want to start them all," said Bowles, whose career record dropped to 13-14. "There's a time and place for that. If and when we get to that point, I'll make that decision."
Fitzpatrick was benched earlier in the season, but he regained the job when Geno Smith suffered a season-ending knee injury less than two quarters into his first start. The Jets also have rookie Christian Hackenberg on the bench, but he's still considered a project.
The Jets have dropped three in a row, spiraling toward their third losing season in the last five years. This will be their sixth straight year out of the playoffs.
"Sometimes in life you take body blows," wide receiver Brandon Marshall said Monday. "We all get hurt and we all fall down. It hurts. It's disappointing. It's scary. There's a lot of frustration, there's a lot of emotion there. But eventually you just pick yourself up."
