Fitz Magic fizzled, so it’s Geno Smith’s turn — again.
The New York Jets will start Smith at quarterback Sunday against the visiting Baltimore Ravens, sending Ryan Fitzpatrick and his one-year, $12 million contract to the sideline.
‘‘I felt like it was time for a change,’’ coach Todd Bowles said after practice Wednesday.
At the NFL fall meetings in Houston, Jets owner Woody Johnson said it was Bowles’s call to go with Smith, with the Jets sinking at 1-5 and on a four-game losing streak. Bowles confirmed that it was ‘‘strictly my call.’’
‘‘I am behind the coach 100 percent,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘Our coach made the decision he felt needed to be made.’’
Fitzpatrick has been a major reason for the Jets’ struggles, throwing an NFL-leading 11 interceptions and just five touchdown passes during a brutal start.
‘‘I mean, I don’t like it,’’ Fitzpatrick said. ‘‘I'm disappointed that we’re making the change, but disappointed in my play this year, as well.
‘‘The competitor in me really wants to be out there. The guy who was the leader of this team last year and the beginning of this year wants to be out there, but it’s a decision that Todd made. I've got to respect his decision, but I don’t have to like it.’’
After the Jets lost, 28-3, at Arizona on Monday night, Bowles said Fitzpatrick would remain the starter. He backtracked a bit Tuesday during a conference call, saying it’s always ‘‘status quo’’ right after games and he wanted to discuss things with his staff and general manager Mike Maccagnan that night. During those meetings, Bowles decided to go with Smith.
‘‘Geno’s our starter right now,’’ Bowles said. ‘‘We'll see how things go down the line.’’
Moving argument
Raiders owner Mark Davis said he hasn’t shut the door on anything. Oakland, though, might have shut the door on itself as home for his team.
‘‘Oakland was in the driver’s seat if they could’ve put together anything,’’ Davis said at the NFL’s fall meetings, after updating his fellow owners on his desire to relocate to the gambling capital. ‘‘They came up with nothing. Las Vegas has already done what it is supposed to do and we have to bring it up to the National Football League and get permission to move to Las Vegas.’’
Nevada lawmakers approved a deal last week that increases hotel taxes in the Las Vegas area to raise $750 million for a stadium and more than $400 million to expand and upgrade the Las Vegas Convention Center. Billionaire casino owner Sheldon Adelson is putting $650 million toward the project, while the Raiders and the NFL will kick in $500 million.
Bills’ McCoy hurt
Bills running back LeSean McCoy did not finish practice Wednesday after experiencing tightness in one of his hamstrings. Coach Rex Ryan didn’t know the severity of the injury, saying the team’s top offensive threat was still being evaluated by trainers. Ryan also wouldn’t speculate on McCoy’s playing status for Sunday, when the Bills travel to play the rival Dolphins . . . Redskins tight end Jordan Reed said he knew he had suffered a concussion during a recent game and didn’t tell anyone. Reed missed the Redskins’ most recent game against the Eagles. He was limited in practice Wednesday and was wearing a yellow, noncontact jersey. Coach Jay Gruden said Reed hasn’t been ruled out of Sunday’s game at the Lions. The 26-year-old Reed suffered a concussion on a hit to the back of the head in the third quarter of a game at Baltimore on Oct. 9 and didn’t leave the field. The NFL announced Wednesday new protocol that will require an athletic trainer in the press box to stay in contact with on-field doctors to determine if a player has a concussion . . . Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco missed practice with a right shoulder injury but expects to play Sunday against the Jets. ‘‘I have a little shoulder soreness,’’ he said. ‘‘A little bit of rest right now is probably the best thing.’’ The injury occurred last Sunday during a 27-23 loss to the Giants. Flacco said he didn’t feel any pain until after the game. When asked about the results of an MRI, Flacco replied, ‘‘It’s nothing to worry about.’’ . . . Dolphins safety Reshad Jones will miss the rest of the season because of a shoulder injury suffered in last Sunday’s win over the Steelers. The seven-year veteran, who hasn’t missed a game because of injury in the last five seasons, was ruled out for the year Wednesday after receiving a second opinion.
