The Jets released backup quarterback Matt Simms on Thursday after he asked for his release.
Simms, the son of Giants great Phil Simms, spent the past two seasons with the Jets, but never got a chance to start and was growing increasingly frustrated. Now, Simms has a chance to catch on with another team before training camp. Simms played in four games, completing 19-of-39 passes for 195 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The Jets initially signed Simms in 2012 as an undrafted free agent from Tennessee. He was cut before the 2012 season, but the team brought him back in 2013. He ended up being Geno Smith’s backup that year after Mark Sanchez was lost to a season-ending injury. He relieved a struggling Smith in three games that year, but the team never considered benching Smith for Simms.
Last season, Simms was active for just one game against the Chiefs and wound up playing a series when starter Michael Vick was injured.
The writing was on the wall for Simms when the team drafted Bryce Petty in the fourth round of the draft and then signed rookie free agent Jake Heaps. He was only getting limited snaps during the team’s OTAs.