BY NICK ST. DENIS
Geno Smith will enter the 2014 football season as the New York Jets' starting quarterback, and at least for the summer, one of his backups will remain in place.
The Jets extended quarterback Matt Simms, who was slated for free agency in March, for another year, according to the NY Daily News. Simms spent the 2013 season as the team's first reserve to the rookie Smith while Mark Sanchez sat with a shoulder injury.
Sanchez is expected to be released prior to his $2 million roster bonus in March.
Simms put together a pretty strong training camp and preseason last year and saw some action in mop-up duty in three games in 2013, connecting on 16 of 31 passes for a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed for 37 yards on five carries.
Jets general manager John Idzik reassured a couple weeks ago that Gang Green will "look at quarterbacks" this offseason, a given considering Sanchez's probable fate. A free agent or mid-to-late-round rookie signal-caller will likely duel with Simms for the first backup job.
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