Jets Rumors: Speculation on Offer to QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
New York Jets Rumors continue to circulate about the offer to quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. What’s the latest reported offer?
According to New York Post reporter Mark Cannizzaro, the New York Jets’ offseason offer to quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick amounts to a three-year deal with $12 million for the first year:
Contrary to reports of low-ball #Jets offer to #Fitz, #NFL sources tell The Post offer on table is 3-yr w/ $12 million for first year ...
— NYPost_Cannizzaro (@MarkCannizzaro) May 27, 2016
If this #Jets offer per sources is true, makes you wonder what Fitz + his agent are waiting for. Am told offer has sat on table for 4 mnths
— NYPost_Cannizzaro (@MarkCannizzaro) May 27, 2016
This does not make Fitz and agent Jimmy Sexton look very smart based on fact that no one else is offering him similar $$ or starting job
— NYPost_Cannizzaro (@MarkCannizzaro) May 27, 2016
In March, Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole documented the offer landing between $7-$9 million annually. ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini said the contract proposal was more substantial weeks after Cole’s original report.
If Cannizzaro’s source shows more accuracy, the Jets’ front office has a legitimate reason to stand pat on their initial proposal.
Related Story: Ryan Fitzpatrick wants to return
Fitzpatrick turns 34 in November. He’s not likely to finish a three-year deal as the starter of any football team. It’s unclear what the Jets offered in the second and third years of the contract. However, $12 million in the first year for a stopgap signal-caller puts him No. 23 among players at the position, slightly behind Los Angeles Rams quarterback Nick Foles, per spotrac.com.
If Fitzpatrick and his agent Jimmy Sexton scoff at $12 million for the first year, it explains the lack of interest in the journeyman quarterback. At best, the bearded wonder has another two quality years left to lead an offense. Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan shouldn’t step over the $14 million-threshold for a very short-term solution.
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As Cannizzaro says in his tweets, the offer has been on the table for four months. Despite coming off his best season as a pro, other teams refuse to form a line at Fitzpatrick’s residence for his services at that price.
Whenever or if Fitzpatrick signs, it’ll be the last contract for his professional football career. Sexton and his client are probably using the waiting game to squeeze more money out of the Jets. Maccagnan hasn’t budged, and it’s understandable.
The 33-year-old quarterback said he doesn’t plan on retiring, per Cimini. Nonetheless, the Jets seem like the only suitors for his return to action.
In this scenario, third-year quarterback Geno Smith comes out on top. The financial rigidity on both sides of the negotiating table could allow the former starter back into the picture. He’s taken first-team reps without wideouts Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall present for organized team activities.
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As the situation with the Jets’ front office and Fitzpatrick lingers, Smith will attempt to show starting potential on an expiring contract.
If the reported offer holds truth, Maccagnan will likely move on rather than payout a quarterback on the verge of flaming out.