Fitzpatrick led the Jets to a 10-6 record in 2015, bringing the team within one win of reaching the playoffs, while throwing a franchise-record 31 touchdown passes. He can also make another $3 million from team incentives.
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New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick talks to reporters during NFL football training camp, Thursday, July 28, 2016, in Florham Park, N.J. Originally Fitzpatrick was courted with a 3-year deal for $24-million that included a guaranteed payout of $16-million.
Ryan Fitzpatrick and the New York Jets have ended their five-month contract standoff.
“Sorry I’m late”, Fitzpatrick said.
The head coach vows he didn’t even worry about his starting signal-caller potentially being a no-show since it wasn’t Bowles’ money that was being debated over and the Jets would’ve practiced with the hand they were dealt. Had Geno Smith been the starter and faltered early (a very plausible scenario), the Jets would have been pressed into playing one of these guys.
“It’s his job”, Bowles said of Fitzpatrick. I don’t want that to become a headline or something like that because it’s not what I’m trying to say. The Jets, on the other hand, were unwilling to pay too much for a quarterback who can still be erratic and was helped out by two excellent wide receivers in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. With Fitzpatrick able to throw the ball a little, teams will be forced to not stack the box.
“Jets brass consistently expressed a desire to keep Fitzpatrick rather than seriously pursue replacements like Brock Osweiler or Sam Bradford during free agency”.
Fitzpatrick said he was comfortable with a one-year deal, despite the lack of security.
Fitzpatrick noted that all he wanted in terms of a contract was something “fair and reasonable” and that he believes he’s getting better as a quarterback. I had like six minutes to get in the building, I pulled up and the guys at the (security) gate kind of looked at me amusing but they waved me right through.
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Before setting the deadline, the Jets improved their offer, raising it from $9 million to $12 million, according to sources. Fitzpatrick is like the New York Jets: up and down. Based off what he did a year ago, hes earned it..
