Jets News: Ryan Fitzpatrick Wants to Return

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass during the first half of their game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass during the first half of their game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Recent New York Jets news has been about quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick stating his desire to play next season, and to play for the Jets.

One of the biggest stories in the entire NFL this offseason has been the contract situation between Ryan Fitzpatrick and the New York Jets. Both sides have been firm on what kind of contract they want him to have, and that isn’t a number that is remotely close.

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Despite the frustrating offseason, Fitzpatrick still wants to be back with the Jets next season.

“I had a lot of fun playing last year,” the quarterback said on SiriusXM Radio via NYdailynews.com. “I want to continue to play — I’d love to continue to play with the guys that I played with last year.”

Fitzpatrick did also shut down the rumors that he would retire if he wasn’t unable to get the contract that he desires for next season.

“I want to play,” Fitzpatrick said. “I love playing the game of football. I had a great time, probably my best season last year in terms of how much fun I had out there with the guys, you know out there every Sunday. It’s something I still really enjoy doing and something I want to continue to do.”

One of the main reasons for the Jets and Fitzpatrick not having a deal done was because of the monster contract that the Philadelphia Eagles gave to Sam Bradford. With Bradford getting a two-year, $35 million deal, Fitzpatrick has expected to be in that neighborhood because he had a better season than Bradford.

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“You drive yourself crazy if you sit and look at other numbers and say, ‘Why not me, why not me?’”

Fitzpatrick does seem anxious to get back on the field and redeem himself from the tough loss against the Buffalo Bills in the final week of the season. If Fitzpatrick was able to win that game for the Jets and make the playoffs, these contract negotiations might have been a non-issue this offseason.

“It’s hard after any loss,” Fitzpatrick said. “But especially losing having a chance — win and we’re in in the playoffs and all that — and not being able to the game and not playing a great game. But that’s a thing that helps you grow too as a player as a person.”

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“Those are the things you learn from and you try to move on from, but they help you with your motivation the next year as well,” the quarterback added.

The Jets are certainly a better team in 2016 with Fitzpatrick as their starting quarterback, but they have done a good job making sure that they have options in place in case he doesn’t sign this offseason.