Will Ryan Fitzpatrick start next week? Todd Bowles is noncommittal

Todd Bowles may or may not have any intention of making a change at quarterback, even though Ryan Fitzpatrick had another spotty game and threw two late interceptions, even though Fitzpatrick now presides over a .500 team after a promising 4-1 start.

But the coach wasn't as definitive as he might have been about Fitzpatrick after the Jets' latest disappointment, a 24-17 loss to the Texans. When asked about Fitzpatrick after Sunday's clunker, Bowles wouldn't say for sure that he will play next week against the Dolphins.

Of course, Bowles didn't say Fitzpatrick won't be his starter, but when an NFL coach is talking about quarterbacks, it's important to parse every word of what he says. Or won't say.

And what Bowles didn't say -- at least not definitively -- is that Fitzpatrick will start Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Asked if he is giving consideration to starting Geno Smith, Bowles said: "Not at this time. We'll meet on all that stuff on Monday.''

The careful phrasing gives Bowles some wiggle room if he decides he wants to make a change to provide a spark. "Not at this time'' is one of those catch-all answers that offers enough gray area to be interpreted in a variety of ways.

For Bowles, it might have meant not at the time he was standing at the podium addressing reporters' questions after a demoralizing loss that dropped the Jets to 5-5. At a different time -- oh, say, Monday after meeting with his coaches -- Bowles might feel a change is in order.

My sense is that Bowles won't make a change at this time, and that it's not the right time for a change. Not with all the confidence he has shown in Fitzpatrick. But his comments also show that Bowles' patience is not unlimited.

There's nothing wrong with making Fitzpatrick think his job might be in jeopardy, because athletes often respond to that kind of pressure by elevating their performance.

Bowles was asked if he still is committed to Fitzpatrick as his starter. "I'm still committed to Ryan,'' Bowles said. "He didn't play very well, just like a lot of other people.''

But when asked if he might be wavering on having Fitzpatrick start next week, Bowles said, "We'll discuss everything on Monday, just like we always do.''

Fitzpatrick was eager to get back at the team that gave up on him after last season. Texans coach Bill O'Brien and general manager Rick Smith traded Fitzpatrick, who will turn 33 Tuesday, to the Jets.

He showed plenty of grit in a drive that made it 24-17 in the fourth quarter. Fitzpatrick ran for a 6-yard touchdown and lost his helmet on a big hit as he drove across the goal line, only nine days after surgery to repair a ligament in his left (non-throwing) thumb. But he couldn't finish the job.

With chances to get the tying score, Fitzpatrick threw back-to-back interceptions.

"I didn't play well,'' said Fitzpatrick, who completed 19 of 39 for 216 yards, a touchdown and a passer rating of only 52.9. "There's a lot of throws I needed to make that I didn't make. Obviously, the two chances there at the end, not coming up with the touchdown on one of those drives hurt.''

Especially in what used to be his home stadium.

"That was tough,'' he said. "It's always tough to lose, no matter what, but that probably added a little bit to it, not being able to come back and having two opportunities at the end.''

As deeply wounded as Fitzpatrick felt, outwardly he was unfazed about Bowles' tepid response about his status. Asked if he had any concern about remaining the starter, he said, "No.''

Bowles has gone with Fitzpatrick this far, so it would be an upset if he changes course -- at least in the immediate future. Another loss or two, and maybe that changes. But Bowles clearly was agitated, acknowledging that he was "extremely upset'' with his team. In Bowles-speak, that's tantamount to an expletive-filled screed, especially given the anger in his eyes.

He wants better results now. And not just from Fitzpatrick. The quarterback was on a long list of underachievers, along with a line that succumbed to the Texans' fierce pass rush, pass-dropping receivers Brandon Marshall and Devin Smith, and a high-priced defense that let inexperienced T.J. Yates hang 24 on the scoreboard.

But in a league in which quarterback is the most important position, Bowles knows the losing can't continue without consequence. Which is why he is opening the door to at least considering a change.

By Bob Glauber

Special to NewsdayBobGlauber

Bob Glauber retired in 2022 after covering the NFL for nearly 40 years. He was selected in 2021 for the Bill Nunn Career Achievement Award by the Pro Football Writers of America, and is a three-time winner of the New York State Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. President of the PFWA for the 2018-20 seasons, he is the author of “The Forgotten First” and “Guts and Genius.”