Unquestionably working to the advantage of the Jets in the negotiation is that they nearly certainly are offering Fitzpatrick the most money and the only opportunity where he can be the unquestioned starter.
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With the lingering standoff involving the Jets and free-agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick now spreading to other key members of the offense currently under contract, the Jets have begun to take their case public.
Contrary to reports of low-ball #Jets offer to #Fitz, #NFL sources tell The Post offer on table is 3-yr w/ million for first year.
Both the Jets and Fitzpatrick have said they would like a reunion, but have unable to agree on a deal.
The Jets have just $3.575 million in cap room, per NFLPA records, but could create additional cap space by restructuring, for example, Decker and/or Buster Skrine’s contracts. A lot of things can happen in football.
Geno Smith has been working with the starting offense during organized team activities, and would likely be under center in Week 1 if Fitzpatrick doesn’t return.
Though Marshall reiterated that they have enough, he remains optimistic that things will go well with Fitzpatrick and the management.
“Just seeing Bryce and Geno grow so much the previous year is really encouraging, and I’m just proud of those guys, We’ll be OK”. But after Smith’s jaw was broken in training camp by then-teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali, Fitzpatrick stepped in and never relinquished the starting job – even playing through a torn thumb ligament.
But he left a bad taste in the mouths of Jets fans when he threw three costly interceptions in a season-finale loss to the Bills that kept the Jets from the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.
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It’s interesting to see little morsels of information seeping out gradually as we get closer and closer to meaningful offseason preparations getting underway. But a strong market for Fitzpatrick never developed during free agency as age, previous performance and the fact he has never played in the postseason might have all played roles.
