Ryan Fitzpatrick: A Journeyman QB Confirming His History

The New York Jets had to see Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s downfall coming, right? If not, general manager Mike Maccagnan must study player history.

Sometimes, you get what you pay for in life and sports. In July, the New York Jets signed quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to a $12 million deal, which made his contract No. 24 among yearly quarterback salaries, per spotrac.com.

After logging career highs in touchdown passes (31) and yards (3,905), $12 million for a Harvard-bred quarterback holding strong locker room connections seems like a bargain with all the bells and whistles. However, throughout his career, Fitzpatrick amounts to nothing more than a mediocre quarterback who can string together victories but tends to fold in critical moments.

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Fresh off a long contract standoff, Fitzpatrick and the Jets offense stared down a tough schedule, which leads the team through five contests against playoff teams from the previous year within six weeks, four of those on the road. It’s a conquerable task for a top-tier signal-caller but too steep for a mid-level journeyman quarterback who’s yet to play in a postseason matchup.

The Jets knew they’d go through a rough patch but did very little to arm themselves through the rocky roads. Now, at 1-3, Fitzpatrick leads the league in interceptions (10), and he’s thrown four touchdown passes in four games.

The Jets opted to attach their 2016 season to a signal-caller who’s unaccustomed to leading an NFL offense to consecutive successful seasons. Does anyone remember the last time Fitzpatrick extended his contract with a loyal franchise?

History Repeats Itself

During the 2011 season, the Buffalo Bills signed Fitzpatrick to a six-year, $59 million deal. He rewarded the franchise with a league-leading 23 interceptions after 16 starts. After repeating his touchdown total and dropping his interceptions down to 16 in the following year, the Bills front office saw enough. They drafted EJ Manuel with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2013 draft.

Fitzpatrick would resurface in Tennessee and Houston, but he couldn’t put together consecutive productive seasons with either franchise. He can push a team from point A to point B but never point B to point C.

With the Jets looking to match their previous 10-win season, the team trends in the wrong direction. The quarterback doesn’t deserve all the blame with a generous secondary ranking No. 26 in yards allowed. However, 10 passes to the opposition with a 55 percent completion percentage adds to a list of reasons for losing football games.

Just three months ago, players and fans sang praises for Fitzpatrick or wanted to escape Geno Smith’s as the starter under center.

The Jets chose the lesser of two evils without a short-term plan to improve as opposed to upholding the status quo. General manager Mike Maccagnan decided not to go fishing for a signal-caller with playoff experience or more upside on the free-agent market.

How about a trade for a talented backup quarterback like A.J. McCarron, who tossed six touchdowns and two interceptions while filling in for the playoff-bound Cincinnati Bengals last year?

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No.

Maccagnan chose to keep his choices in-house. The world knows rookie Christian Hackenberg needs one or two more developmental years. Bryce Petty bruised his shoulder and couldn’t usurp Smith as the primary backup quarterback.

The Jets have somewhat set up their future but handicapped a win-now roster with a quarterback who’s already reached his peak only headed south from a career year.

No one should act surprised when watching Fitzpatrick throw, inexplicably, into coverage or display non-elite quarterback skills. This is who he’s been throughout his 12-year career. The Jets will win games, but will their 33-year-old journeyman signal-caller guide this roster to the next level? History says absolutely not.

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