Both Thompson and Whittingham signed contracts with their teams earlier this week.
Advertisement
Fitzpatrick’s signing gives NY another year before having to decide if Christian Hackenberg or Bryce Petty could be their quarterback of the future. That deal created about $5.7 million in salary cap space, giving the Jets some more room to work out a contract with Fitzpatrick.
The two sides finalized a one-year, $12 million contract on the eve of the team’s first training camp practice, sources told ESPN. Second-year coach Todd Bowles and second-year general manager Mike Maccagnan said throughout the offseason they wanted Fitzpatrick back and would be the starter once he re-signed.
Even with the interceptions and another missed playoff berth, the alternative of Smith and other unproven passers did not seem appealing as options who would keep the Jets in contention until Week 17. With the always lethal New England Patriots within the same AFC East division, NY has an outside chance at a division championship season, but they will certainly find themselves in the mix for a potential Wild Card spot.
New York Jets center Nick Mangold talks to the media Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey.
The agreement between Fitzpatrick and the Jets means Smith will in all likelihood resume his role as the backup.
He threw for a career-best 3,905 yards while topping Vinny Testaverde’s franchise mark of 29 TDs. For just the third time in his career, Fitzpatrick managed to start all 16 games in the season.
The Jets, like every season, will be an interesting team to watch.
I wouldn’t take him as my #1 starter, but Fitzpatrick could be a great addition to your team as a #2, especially if you can pair him with Tom Brady.
Fitzpatrick thrived while being reunited with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, his coach in Buffalo for three seasons. “I thought we got past that a year ago”.
That was despite going down with a torn ligament in his left thumb against Oakland on November 1.
The Jets’ top receivers, Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall were very outspoken about getting the Jets to resign Fitz.
Advertisement
Fitzpatrick and the Jets now can put the focus back on the field, where they will be trying to improve upon their 10-6 finish last season and return to the postseason for the first time since the 2010 season. This is a 1 year deal for $12 million. The journeyman also has seen action with the St. Louis Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans.
