New York Jets Rumors: Ryan Fitzpatrick Replaced by Geno Smith in Near Future as Starting QB?

Veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick has had a relatively solid season in 2015 for the New York Jets, but that doesn't necessarily mean his job is safe. Recent articles by ESPN and NFL.com seem to squash the rumors that his job was in jeopardy at this juncture, but that doesn't mean that couldn't change soon. Geno Smith is waiting in the wings as a still relatively unproven option, and the Jets have been struggling the past four games. Could Fitzpatrick be replaced by Smith in the near future as the starting QB?

After starting the year 4-1, the Jets have faltered of late, going only 1-3 in their last four, and Fitzpatrick struggled mightily in their last game against the Buffalo Bills. He completely only 15-of-34 passes for 193 yards, two TDs and two INTs -- one of which came in the final 30 seconds.

Now 5-4, New York is losing ground in the wild-card race, and that's something that Jets' brass won't be happy with moving forward. While one could certainly make a case that Fitzpatrick isn't the reason why they lost three of the last four (other than in maybe their last game), he could be the guy who pulls the shortest straw and loses his job.

And that will be made possible only if they keep losing.

Looking at their next few games, they're definitely winnable, but they won't be easy.

Sunday, the Jets head to Texas to play an extremely confident Houston Texans defense that held Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals to just six points in a 10-6 win Monday night -- and that was in Cincy, which is even more impressive. Odds are, Fitzpatrick won't look too great in that one.

Following that game, they play a divisional opponent at home in the Miami Dolphins. This season, you don't really know what you're going to get from the Dolphins each week. But if they show up and play well, once again, Fitzpatrick could struggle.

Finally, the Jets stay at home for an "away game" against the New York Giants. If Fitzpatrick struggles at all in the weeks preceding this big matchup for city bragging rights, and then can't find a way to lead them to victory in this one, then that may be the final nail in the coffin for head coach Todd Bowles and company.

Enter Geno Smith.