Not that there was ever really much doubt, but Jets coach Todd Bowles said after Thursday’s first training camp practice that quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will start in Week 1 against the Bengals, barring a “drastic” change. Fitzpatrick wanted to be paid around $18 million, while the Jets wanted to spend no more than $9 million.
Advertisement
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team had not yet announced the signing.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirmed the report. Smith also infamously started the last season with a broken jaw following an altercation with ex-teammate IK Enemkpali, opening the door for Fitzpatrick in NY. In the end, it leaves things where they were before, with Fitzpatrick as the team’s likely starting quarterback for the upcoming season. The total number of passing yards and touchdowns are so far career-bests for the 33-year-old.
To make the Fitzpatrick signing official, the Jets will have to create room under the salary cap.
Jets fans celebrated like they won the Super Bowl last night when Ryan Fitzpatrick returned from his self imposed exiled.
But the team made an offer that included three years, but little in guarantees beyond the first year. During the free agent time, Fitzpatrick had no other offers on the table.
It was one of the least-surprising pronouncements of the summer, but nonetheless notable after the Jets spent the offseason propping up Geno Smith’s qualities as a starting option.
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. Long criticized as an inaccurate passer susceptible to the turnover, Fitzpatrick threw just 15 interceptions past year.
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. As a starter, he has career record of 43-61-1 in 11 seasons with no playoff appearances.
Jeff Darlington of NFL Network noted Fitzpatrick agreed to the deal mere moments before the Jets’ self-imposed 7 p.m. deadline on Wednesday.
“This is obviously a place that I want to be”, Fitzpatrick said after the season, “a place that I’m comfortable with”.
Advertisement
A year ago, he was preparing to be the starter with Fitzpatrick as his backup.
