The New York Jets are considering a read-option package for rookie quarterback Geno Smith, according to ESPN. The Jets are looking to capitalize on the elusive quarterback's abilities even if he loses the quarterback competition to Mark Sanchez.

"I know what everybody is thinking," Rex Ryan said Wednesday at minicamp. "If we did that, it would be like, 'Oh, didn't we try that last year?' But certainly, that's a possibility."

The Jets attempted to use Tim Tebow in specific packages last season, but failed to do so correctly. Ryan also noted that people shouldn't assume that this makes Smith a frontrunner for the quarterback position, however, is in fact a weapon in a read-option role for the time being.

"I think he's got the athleticism to do that," Ryan said. "They didn't run a whole lot of zone reads [at West Virginia], but he has the skill set to where there's no reason he shouldn't be able to do that.

"I think you have to be smart with what you ask your quarterback to do -- or you're going to need a whole bunch of them," he continued. "That's why I think people are going to start attacking quarterbacks. But running for first downs and touchdowns, that's how the league is going to progress to these things."

Sanchez and Smith are in an open competition for the Jets. Ryan refuses to name a starter until the preseason and believes it's too soon to name a front-runner. However, using Smith in a specific package may be a way to utilize both quarterbacks.

"I don't know what he timed in the 40," Ryan said of Smith, "but the guy can run. Clearly, he has good mobility."