Uh Oh ... Fitzpatrick Reportedly Set To Hit Free Agent Market
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Cue the hysteria in Jets Nation.
According to a report from the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is prepared to hit the open market once free agency begins later this week. It appears the Jets and Fitzpatrick are far apart in their contract talks.
Acquired last spring for basically nothing, Fitzpatrick, a journeyman who had played for five different teams in his previous 10 years in the NFL, had a dream 2015 season, guiding the Jets to a 10-6 record and setting the team's single-season franchise record for touchdown passes.
General manager Mike Maccagnan has made it clear on numerous occasions that signing Fitzpatrick is a priority, perhaps the Jets' top priority. Yet, just days away from the beginning of the free agent spending frenzy, the team faces the very real possibility that it might not have a true starting quarterback by the middle of March.
Enigmatic veteran Geno Smith and 2015 rookie Bryce Petty are the quarterbacks the Jets have under contract.
While the parameters of the talks between the Jets and Fitzpatrick are unknown, it is believed that Maccagnan wants to bring the 33-year-old signal-caller back for at least two years. And while the length of a new deal might not be the issue, the Jets likely are feeling the heat from the Fitzpatrick camp due to the surprising two-year, $36 million contract the Eagles signed Sam Bradford to early last week.
Fitzpatrick threw for a career-high 3,905 yards and 31 touchdowns last season, while only tossing 15 interceptions. It remains unclear what kind of market he will have should he and the Jets not get something done over the next few days, but it's possible New York will let him see what's out there and then counter.
Coming off a stellar debut as GM last spring, Maccagnan is facing serious pressures this time around. With only approximately $6.5 million in salary cap space currently, the Jets don't have anywhere near the room they had in 2015 when they beefed up their roster and went on to finish with their first double-digit win season since 2010.
New York is saddled with tough decisions on both sides of the ball and somehow needs to free up a lot of cash. In addition to figuring out how far to go with Fitzpatrick, the Jets are still trying to determine the future of All-Pro defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson and if they can re-sign defensive tackle Damon Harrison. And if that's not enough, the Jets may not have a viable running back once Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell test the open market, as they reportedly will do.
