FLORHAM PARK- It's been a whirlwind 24 hours for the Jets' Geno Smith. From starting quarterback, to the bench, with one long-awaited transaction. The moment Ryan Fitzpatrick re-signed, Smith dropped a peg on the depth chart.

But that doesn't mean he's a forgotten man on the Jets' roster.

"Geno's done an amazing job developing as a man off the field, a leader and a teammate," Jets' wideout Brandon Marshall said shortly after New York's first training camp practice concluded. "Like I've said before, when this kid gets his opportunity, he's not gonna look back."

The two players Smith spent the majority of this offseason throwing to both came running to his defense Thursday. With everyone and their uncle wanting to know how the QB felt following his demotion, Marshall and Eric Decker lifted Smith up during the latest roller coaster twist and turn of his short career.

The weird thing is, it wasn't long ago that Smith was the Jets' unquestioned starting quarterback. This time last year, it was Geno that was getting ready to begin as the No. 1 guy on the depth chart, while Fitzpatrick played second fiddle. Then came the infamous punch from I.K. Enemkpali, and Smith has been fighting to get his starting job back ever since. For two months this summer, he had it. But once Fitzpatrick strolled into One Jets Drive 7 p.m. Wednesday, it was gone again.

"As a competitor, I would be crushed," Marshall said. "I wanna be on the field, and I know Geno does, too. You know how I feel about him. I love Geno. That hasn't changed. He doesn't wanna sit on the sideline.

"I'm just proud of the kid with how he's dealt with this adversity dating all the way back to last year's camp, to this year's camp."

Smith 'pissed off' at Fitz re-signing

While Marshall's only time working with Smith has been on the practice field and in the film room, Decker spent a year with him under center. In 2014, Decker caught 74 passes for 962 yards and five touchdowns with primarily Smith throwing him balls.

He's seen what he can do, and witnessed his, as Decker describes it, "great ball." It's just about Smith getting his opportunity again.

"I still think he has a lot of potential," Decker said. "He's gotten in the film room, studied hard and has solid maturity. Unfortunately, this is a good and bad thing when you have a lot of good football players. It's competitive in that room.

"For Geno, this is an opportunity for him to get better. When his number is called, he'll be ready to go."

For now, Smith's just waiting to hear a ring.

Connor Hughes may be reached at chughes@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connor_J_Hughes. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.