We all know that one quarterback gets to go out there on Day 1.
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The Jets and their starting quarterback have been at loggerheads over a new deal but on Wednesday night multiple sources reported that the two parties had agreed a one-year contract worth $12m with an additional $3m possible for Fitzpatrick in bonuses. The deal also includes $3 million in incentives based on team performance.
The Jets certainly wouldn’t mind a repeat of Fitzpatrick’s statistical performance from last season, when he set the franchise record with 31 touchdown passes and helped lead NY within a victory of the playoffs. And from the looks of it, the Jets might have issued a gag order to their players, preventing them from talking about the contract standoff. Every team in the AFC East needs all they help they can get to take the division from the New England Patriots. He could take those numbers into free agency for 2017 with the goal of securing a better deal for himself. “It’s not something where I’m [ticked] off at anyone, because we all want to be out there”. Fitzpatrick was not happy with the offer that long sat on the table – three years, $24 million, including a total guarantee of $16 million.
NY had also selected fellow Australian punter Lachlan Edwards out of Sam Houston State in the seventh round, setting up a potential punter battle in training camp.
Jets’ training camp opened earlier in the day.
New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, left, throws a pass to wide receiver Eric Decker, right, during NFL football training camp, Thursday, July 28, 2016, in Florham Park, N.J.
The Jets have to be pleased with putting this stalemate behind them, and they were also able to do it without committing long-term money. Fitzpatrick will return to his role as the Jets’ starter, with Geno Smith – the starter throughout the offseason – returning to his backup role.
Mike Maccagnan says Jets would like to re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick. I wanted to be there for my guys, I didn’t want to miss anything, so finally I got the go ahead.
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Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan had informed Fitzpatrick’s agent that a deadline was set for 7 pm yesterday, the time of the first team meeting of camp, and Fitzpatrick was so eager to make that deadline he chose to go for a drive.
