Todd Bowles: Ryan Fitzpatrick remains New York Jets QB1

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If there is going to be a quarterback change involving the New York Jets, coach Todd Bowles isn't ready to make any announcements.

"Until I talk with my coaches, as the season goes forward, if we decide to do that, we'll do it," Bowles said after the Jets' fifth consecutive loss, a 28-3 rout Monday night at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals.

Bowles pulled starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick with 8:40 remaining in the game and brought in Geno Smith, who made his first appearance of the season. Bowles likened it to baseball and calling in a relief pitcher, saying, "If a starting pitcher isn't doing it in this game, this day, you put in a relief pitcher. Fitz will be back next week."

Fitzpatrick completed 16 of 31 passes for 174 yards with no touchdowns and one interception that killed a potential scoring drive. It was his league-leading 11th pick of the season. Bowles, however, placed no blame on his veteran quarterback.

"(The loss) definitely wasn't Fitz's fault," Bowles said. "I mean, he barely had time to throw, so anybody we'd have put back there would have had a problem, I think."

For his part, Fitzpatrick accepted whatever criticism anyone was willing to heap upon him.

Todd Bowles leaves the field after the Jets-Arizona Cardinals game. Photo by Art Foxall/UPI

"Tonight was a mixture of things, but in the first half especially, I didn't hit some throws that I've got to hit," he said. "There were probably four occasions where I could've made a better play. I think we had some penalties ... but we still had the throws, and I just didn't make them."

Smith, who completed four of six passes for 31 yards and was also intercepted once, was asked for his reaction to Bowles saying, at least initially, that he plans to stick with Fitzpatrick as the starter.

"As a competitor, I want to play at all times," he said. "I think you guys know that. Can't reiterate that enough."

Does he think he could provide a spark that might lift the Jets' stumbling offense?

"However we have to get wins," Smith said. "No matter who the guy is, no matter who sparks the offense, we have got to figure it out. Right now, we are not doing well. I think we are playing hard. I don't think it's a matter of effort, but we are not executing and making enough plays to put ourselves in position to win games. ...

"I'm going to be ready whenever my number is called. Whenever I get my chance, whenever that is, I will go out there and do my best."