Rex Ryan Hot Seat? If Quarterback Geno Smith Returns To Starting Job Next Week, Ouster of New York Jets Coach Could Be Imminent (VIDEO)

New York rookie quarterback Geno Smith did not to return to the field in the second half against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. If he starts at quarterback for the Jets next week, it could mean that coach Rex Ryan may not return to the to the Jets sideline next season.

Ryan was the one who pulled Smith during a miserable first half of a 23-3 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday. He did not say who will start next week's game against the Oakland Raiders.

"Right now I can't tell you who's starting," The New York Post quoted Ryan as saying after Matt Simms took over and played an inconsistent second half against Miami. "We'll look at the tape, get everyone's opinion and do what's in the best interests of the team."

The Post went on to say that the immediate future of Smith may not be in the hands of the Jets' embattled coach.

"There is no I in team, but at this point, there can be only one Jets opinion that matters, and it belongs to the first-year general manager, John Idzik - and not the likable but deservedly endangered Ryan," the Post wrote.

That's why, the Post surmises, Idzik will determine to stay the course with Smith, rather than hand the reins to Simms or David Garrard. The team has nothing to gain, the paper says, by giving up on Smith. New York needs to find out what he can do in the last for weeks to get enough information to determine whether he has a chance of becoming an asset at quarterback.

Neither Simms nor Garrard appear to be the Jets' long-term solution at quarterback, the Jets would be wise to let Smith finish the season to see what he can do.

That action, however, would be contrary to extending Ryan's contract.

Ryan's job seemed very secure when the team was 5-4 after beating the Saints, but three straight blowout losses have a way of changing situations," ProFootballTalk.com reported. "Whoever plays quarterback for the final four weeks is going to have to find a way to score some points for Ryan to remain in the job come 2014."