FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — With the Jets mired in a three-game losing streak, Woody Johnson, the team’s owner, said Thursday that Coach Rex Ryan and his players had “fallen short” so far this season, but he pledged his faith in the embattled quarterback Geno Smith.

“If you look at what we’re doing, we haven’t won as many games as we want,” Johnson said. “I have a lot of confidence in Geno. I think Geno can be a franchise quarterback. I really do. I see traits in him, and we all see traits in him, that are extremely positive.”

Johnson touched on several topics beyond Smith’s long-term (and short-term) viability at quarterback in a 15-minute interview session Thursday at practice. Speaking with reporters for the first time since June, Johnson defended the Jets’ salary-cap space, discussed their decision not to sign a top-flight cornerback and addressed Ryan’s job security, which may not be in jeopardy even if the team misses the N.F.L. playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.

“We don’t look at it that way,” Johnson said, adding, “Those are the kinds of decisions we make at the end of the season and we’ll evaluate everybody and see what the best plan is going forward.”