Jets, Ryan Fitzpatrick mutually interested in return

Ryan Fitzpatrick is due to become a free agent, but he wants to return to the Jets and the team would like him back.

Despite throwing three interceptions in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s devastating loss to Buffalo, Fitzpatrick had a fine season. He threw a franchise record 31 touchdowns, and the Jets are sufficiently impressed, with coach Todd Bowles even anointing him the starter if he were to return.

“Obviously, it’s a pretty high priority,” Bowles said of retaining Fitzpatrick. “He’s the quarterback. He had a great year for us. We want him back.

“If he comes back, he’ll be the starter.”

The good news for the Jets is that Fitzpatrick doesn’t want to be anywhere else.

“I hope so,” Fitzpatrick said Monday of a possible return. “I don’t want to live with hypotheticals, but I had a lot of fun this year. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in a season, with the guys in this locker room and the run we had in December. Hopefully, I can be back and can continue to build on that.”

It’s been quite the rise for Fitzpatrick, who wasn’t even supposed to start until I.K. Enemkpali broke Geno Smith’s jaw during preseason. He ended up quarterbacking the Jets to a ten win season and probably made himself quite a bit of money, either with the Jets or elsewhere. That said, when both parties are this interested in a return, everyone involved usually finds a way to get it done.