FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Geno Smith is one of the big reasons the New York Jets are 3-12. He acknowledges that. He also believes he can be the quarterback that leads them back to respectability.
"I see myself being the quarterback here for a long time," Smith said Wednesday. "I see myself helping this team turn things around. Obviously, I'm part of the reason why we're in this position, so I'd love to be part of the solution."
Smith's answer probably won't sit well with a fan base that wants a quarterback change. There probably will be a new coach and new general manager, so it's hard to project into 2015, but any new regime almost certainly would try to upgrade the position.
"I see myself being the quarterback here for a long time. I see myself helping this team turn things around. Obviously, I'm part of the reason why we're in this position, so I'd love to be part of the solution."Geno Smith, on Jets' future
The Jets, who will have a top-6 pick, could draft a quarterback. Or they could acquire a veteran to start immediately or compete with Smith. Either way, nothing will be handed to Smith, as it was this season.
Smith said he can be the answer, and he doesn't think the team is that far away from contending.
"I know that it takes hard work and not everyone is going to see the same things, but within this locker room, within this group of guys, we all see the potential we have as a team," he said.
"Obviously, that's not saying much with the record we have right now, but we believe we can turn things around."
This has been a turbulent season for Smith, on and off the field. He's ranked 31st in Total QBR (29.7), ahead of only Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Blake Bortles. Smith lost his job for three games and has thrown an interception in 10 of 12 starts. His record is 2-10.
"He reverted back a little bit with the turnovers," said offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, referring to Smith's early-season performances. "He had to re-start himself, which is the last thing we wanted to have happen."
Smith also has created unwanted headlines off the field. He created a firestorm by missing a team meeting on a road trip, got fined by the league for cursing out a fan and sparked another controversy this week by saying "change could be good for all of us" -- meaning a coaching change.
The second-year quarterback said his comments were taken out of context. He said he was speaking about the head-coaching change he experienced at West Virginia, not about Rex Ryan and his future.
"I love the guy, I love playing for the guy," Smith said. "He's my coach."
Smith has learned that life in the New York market can be challenging.
"I enjoy playing here," he said. "I love playing here and everything that comes with it."