The Jets announced Wednesday rookie Geno Smith will start Week 1 against the Bucs. It will be just the second time in franchise history a rookie starts in the opener.
"We're going to go with Geno Smith as our quarterback and we are excited about that,” head coach Rex Ryan said, per NFL.com.
Ryan added the Jets stand behind the second-round pick, who threw for 11,662 yards and 98 touchdowns in his career at West Virginia. Smith, who was hobbled by an ankle injury in August, completed 59.5 percent of his passes (22 for 37) for one touchdown and three interceptions in the preseason.
"I know the entire team is confident," Ryan said. "We are definitely confident that Geno's out there and I think all of our guys are looking forward to see what he can do. It's a tough test going against (Darrelle) Revis and two Pro Bowl safeties. It's going to be a test, but it's one we're excited about."