Michael Vick will start as quarterback for the New York Jets in their match against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, replacing Geno Smith, who has been struggling this season.

Jets coach Rex Ryan has been very patient with Smith amid their losing streak, but his patience ran out on Sunday after the 24-year-old QB was pulled out from the game during their 43-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills after three interceptions in the opening period.

However, Ryan, whose team has now lost in their last seven games since winning against the Oakland Raiders in their season opener, declined to reveal whether or not Smith will be benched permanently for the rest of the season.

"Geno [can] take a step back for the first time in his career and maybe get a different perspective of it," Ryan told reporters on Monday via New York Post. "This is not looking long-term, this is about the immediate. My focus is just on that, that's why this decision was made."

Heading into the season, Ryan was optimistic that Smith will prove that he is ready to become a franchise quarterback, but the 51-year-old coach admitted that the former West Virginia standout is not living up to expectations.

But while they looked ready to move forward with Vick as their starting quarterback, Ryan is still hoping that Smith will take a major leap forward when he starts again for New York.

"Of course you hope a young quarterback could be that guy," Ryan said. "He had a poor game, that's no doubt. Have there been guys that have taken a step back and taken a leap forward? There have been guys like that. Hopefully, that's what happens to Geno. I don't think anybody in this organization is looking at him differently now."

Vick, who signed a one-year deal with Jets in the offseason after spending the past five years with the Philaldelphia Eagles, said that he will take advantage of the opportunity to show that he still has all the tools to become an effective starting QB in the NFL.

"I think it's a great opportunity," Vick said via ESPN. "Any time you get named to be the starter, it's a great thing. I think you have to relish it, but also take it extremely serious, and understand what's at stake and what needs to be done"

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