New York Jets Rumors: Will Ryan Fitzpatrick Return in 2016?
By Nick Ziegler
With the 2015 season nearing its end, New York Jets rumors are beginning about whether or not Ryan Fitzpatrick will be back in 2016.
The Jets have had a very successful 2015 season so far, as they have a 7-5 record, and if the season ended today, they would be in the playoffs. Much of the reason for the Jets’ success this season has been the playoff of Fitzpatrick.
Also on Empire Writes Back: Who are the Top 5 QB’s in franchise history?
Coming into the season, the Jets somewhat shockingly handed the starting quarterback job to Geno Smith. In an altercation with IK Enemkpali, Smith suffered a broken jaw and was out for the beginning of the season.
With Smith out, it was Fitzpatrick sliding into the starting position, and he hasn’t looked back.
This season, Fitzpatrick has totaled 2,866 passing yards, 22 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions, and a 60.1 completion percentage. Seeing a quarterback with a 2:1 touchdown to interception ratio is a cause for celebration in New York after recent years of Mark Sanchez and Smith turning the ball over a ton.
More from Jets Rumors
- New York Jets: Poor Leadership Or Cursed Franchise?
- New York Jets circus doesn’t deserve Le’Veon Bell
- New York Jets Rumors: Sheldon Richardson Not Drawing Much Interest
- New York Jets Rumors: Bryce Petty On Roster Bubble
- New York Jets Rumors: Mitchell Trubisky To Be Hosted For Visit
With his good play in 2015, and the Jets looking like a possible playoff team, the next question becomes, will Fitzpatrick be back in 2016?
“I’ve really enjoyed this year, the guys in the locker room, getting back with Chan Gailey,” Fitzpatrick told NJ Advance Media. “It’s been a great opportunity for me. It’s been a very refreshing year, just in terms of the guys I’ve been able to play with and hang out with on a daily basis. So I love it here.”
Fitzpatrick is in the last season of his contract that came with him after the Jets acquired him from the Houston Texans this offseason after a pretty good season in Houston
“Last year, I felt like I maybe had my best year,” he said to Darryl Slater of NJ.com. “I just feel like I’m a much better quarterback now than I’ve ever been. These four games, they mean so much, just in terms of I’m going to look back on this season, whether it was a success or not. I guess that’s yet to be determined.
“I wouldn’t be still standing here if I didn’t have a lot of belief in myself because there’s not a whole lot of belief in me in the outside world. To me, it’s always been believing in myself. I know what type of player I am. I know what I’m good at, and what I’m not good at.”
More from Empire Writes Back
- Caesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!
- Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
- Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!
- PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
- Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!
One major thing that Fitzpatrick would likely want is some stability. He has five children and has been bouncing around from team to team in recent years, which has certainly been a challenge for his family.
“It’s not easy, but it’s all my kids know,” Fitzpatrick said of the frequent moves to Slater. “We’re sort of used to it at this point.”
At this point, it’s hard to imagine the Jets are not wanting to bring back Fitzpatrick as their starting quarterback for the 2016 season, as he has done a great job for the team in his first season.