Ryan Fitzpatrick and the New York Jets are currently locked into a little game of contract chicken, and it is hard to say who is going to win. One thing is for sure — Fitzpatrick’s agent is doing everything he can to secure top dollar.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Fitzpatrick and the Jets are “nowhere close” to an agreement. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk took it a step further, citing a source who claims the team has offered Fitzpatrick “backup money.”
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Fitzpatrick is ripe to be plucked away by another team.
Other suitors could be concerned that any interest expressed in Fitzpatrick would be used as leverage with the Jets. The reality, according to the source, is that interest expressed in Fitzpatrick could quickly lead to a deal.
Florio’s source sounds like it’s probably someone who is speaking on behalf of Fitzpatrick, but you never know. In reality, the Jets are probably offering the 33-year-old something between “backup money” and the $18 million annual average that Sam Bradford and Brock Osweiler — both of whom are much younger than Fitzpatrick — recently signed for.
Fitzpatrick led the Jets to a 10-6 record last season and had them one win away from reaching the playoffs. Brandon Marshall showed us with this creative video this week how badly he wants Fitzpatrick back. The Jets may not value him quite as highly.
