Here's why the Jets ultimately decided to bench Ryan Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick had insight into the Cardinals' defense last Monday, but it didn't help at all

Jets coach Todd Bowles benched quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick this week after initially backing the veteran following Monday night's loss at Arizona, a change of heart that materialized after reviewing game film, sources said. Fitzpatrick struggled again, this time despite being given detailed keys and reads by the coaching staff, with Bowles and his staff the former architects of the Arizona defense during their time under Bruce Arians with the Cardinals.

Fitzpatrick, who leads the NFL in turnovers and was in jeopardy of losing his job for a few weeks (as previously reported), struggled to make his reads and follow his keys, protect the ball and stay within the framework of the offense, while forcing balls to top target Brandon Marshall. So, after the initial vote of confidence in his postgame comments, Bowles and his staff decided on Geno Smith as their starter, a decision widely supported within the organization, sources said.

Frustration with Fitzpatrick has been mounting since the spring, with his prolonged contract impasse keeping him out of the entire organized team activity program, and he had no future in the organization beyond 2016 anyway, sources said. Smith has struggled in his young career, but there is some hope within the organization that he can exceed expectations.

Bryce Petty, selected 103rd overall by the Jets in 2015, is still adjusting to the pro game after coming from a rudimentary offense at Baylor, sources said, and he was also limited by a preseason shoulder injury. The Jets plan to take a long view with Petty and 2016 pick Christian Hackenberg and redshirt them for a considerable amount of time to aid their long-term development.

It is conceivable that Petty plays at some point this season, based on how Smith fares.