The New York Jets are set to begin training camp in just over two weeks, and the starting quarterback that nearly led the team to a playoff berth last season is still a free agent.
Brian Costello of the New York Post reports that the Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick have made “no progress” in their ongoing contract stalemate. Costello notes that the Jets were fine with Fitzpatrick missing the spring portion of offseason workouts since he is familiar with the offense, but the belief is that the start of training camp is the deadline to work out a deal.
Fitzpatrick has already rejected a three-year, $24 million offer from New York. With guys like Brock Osweiler getting almost $20 million per season, you can understand why Fitzpatrick is unwilling to be paid less than half of that when he led the Jets to a 10-6 record last year and set a franchise record with 31 touchdown passes. That said, Fitzpatrick is still a free agent, which means no other team has blown the 33-year-old away with an offer.
As one veteran wide receiver recently hinted, the standoff between Fitzpatrick and the Jets could become a distraction once training camp begins. As of now, Geno Smith would be the team’s starting quarterback. There has not been much public support for the former West Virginia star, and this should tell you all you need to know about how the fans feel about him.
It’s baffling that the two sides have gone this long without reaching an agreement, especially with the success Fitzpatrick had in 2015. Guys like Darrelle Revis, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are entering the latter portions of their career, and they have made it clear they want Fitzpatrick back. The Jets may have to cave in the next couple of weeks.
