Bill Belichick has won six Super Bowls with the Patriots since 2000, but former Jets coach Rex Ryan said he wouldn’t have any titles if not for Tom Brady. Ryan went so far as to invoke the name of former Jets quarterback Geno Smith – who Ryan coached from 2013-14 – when making his argument.
“Let’s give him Geno Smith,” Ryan said on ESPN’s First Take, “and let’s see how many Super Bowls he would have won.”
"Give him Geno Smith … and let's see how many Super Bowls he would have won."
Rex Ryan to people who say Belichick would have been just as successful without Tom Brady. pic.twitter.com/3LsYOQblIj
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 8, 2020
The video quickly went viral, and caught the eye of Smith. The former Jets retorted with a series of tweets directed at his old coach. Smith called Ryan a “snake” and said that he was being painted as a scapegoat for the Jets’ poor record during his time as the starter.
My momma never liked dude he been a snake.. and y’all glorify it.. should’ve got fired after yr1.. truth is we won 8 games after ESPN had us winning two and he got his job back.. somehow I’m caught up in a feud and I’m the scapegoat.. Same guy that drafted me#TheBusiness
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) April 8, 2020
I could easily go on and on about the bs I see but truthfully I’m so happy I don’t even bother.. God put me in this position where even my enemies gotta mention my name.. so I just sit back and watch the show!
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) April 8, 2020
We not cut tha same you a silver spoon baby I got it off the pavement
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) April 8, 2020
Where I’m from if a man talk about another man while that man isn’t present, a man don’t listen!
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) April 8, 2020
Neither Ryan nor Smith had much success in New York. Ryan went 46-50 in six seasons – including 5-8 in 13 games against the Patriots – while Smith went 11-18 in Ryan’s final two years in New York. Ryan started off hot in New York with back-to-back AFC championship appearances but faltered before being fired in 2014.
Smith, who Ryan and the Jets drafted 39th overall in 2013, completed 57.5 percent of his passes for 5,5571 yards, 25 touchdowns and 34 interceptions in the 29 games he played. He lost the Jets’ starting job to Ryan Fitzpatrick for good before the 2015 season when defensive end IK Enemkpali punched Smith in the face and fractured his jaw. Smith played with the Giants and Chargers and was the backup for the Seahawks in 2019.