Ryan Fitzpatrick believes he will continue to start at quarterback for the New York Jets despite his knee injury. Apparently many in the locker room support that decision.
Jets wide receiver Eric Decker was a guest on “Hahn & Humpty” on ESPN Radio New York Tuesday and was asked about the Jets making a quarterback switch to backup Bryce Petty.
“I don’t think that’s the right decision,” Decker told “Hahn & Humpty.” “That’s why [Head Coach Todd Bowles] is keeping Ryan (Fitzpatrick) in there and I would think a lot of guys feel the same way as well. … You can’t just throw the towel in and say, ‘OK, all right, let’s get ready for next year.’ As a competitor, that’s not how you think, that’s not how you operate. Going to work each day with that kind of mentality, why even go to work?”
Petty played briefly last weekend against Miami and went 2-of-2 for 19 yards. Those were the first passes Petty, a 4th-round pick by the Jets in 2015, had ever thrown in the league.
The Jets are now 3-6, and with Decker out, Darrelle Revis struggling, and Fitzpatrick hurt and going through a poor season, it’s understandable why Jets fans would want to see what Petty can do. But like Decker says, that might send the wrong message throughout the locker room that the team is giving up. Ultimately, it may be too early in the season to go with Petty.
