It was reported almost two months ago that Fitzpatrick was willing to sign a one-year deal, but the Jets did not seem pleased about having to give him $12 million guaranteed.
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And to make that call, coach Gary Kubiak said Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian and rookie Paxton Lynch each will get an equal amount of playing time as camp gets underway. But it was hard with people coming up to me and asking about the contract, people texting me. For five or six months it was like a dark cloud hovering over him. “In the end, I’m happy the way it turned out”. The reality of the situation is that if NY wanted to part ways with Fitzpatrick, they could have done so long before it came down to a last-minute guessing game of which side will blink first.
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 narrowly missed the playoffs despite a 10-6 finish last season. Coach Todd Bowles stated from day one that if Fitzpatrick signed the deal, he would be the starter.
ESPN reported that Fitzpatrick was given until 7pm on Wednesday to sign the contract or the team would move on, with Geno Smith, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty all waiting in the wings to compete for the starter’s job. Fitzpatrick passed for a franchise-record 31 touchdowns last season.
He said he hopes to better all of those numbers. “I’ve improved as a quarterback and I believe in the guys around me”, Fitzpatrick told ESPN.
He added: “I thought that it would always get done”.
Now is the time for Ryan to show is worth and start practicing with the team.
Both sides wanted the same thing, but just couldn’t come to terms on a deal. “That’s all I wanted. I’m glad that we’re going to be able to get to work today”.
Wednesday’s whirlwind was an intense ending to a stalemate that dates back to February, when the Jets offered the 33-year-old a three-year, $24 million deal.
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-First Quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in a single game with four different teams (Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, New York Jets).
