Jets' Maccagnan Says He Sees Bright Spots In Otherwise Disappointing Season
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- General manager Mike Maccagnan said Wednesday he's disappointed with the way the Jets have played this season but does not regret a couple of his decisions that have had a hand in their 3-7 record.
Speaking at a state-of-the-team news conference, Maccagnan stood behind his decision to re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to a one-year, $12 million contract in July, as well as the five-year, $70 million deal he gave to cornerback Darrelle Revis in March 2015.
Fitzpatrick is 2-6 as a starter this season, having completed just 56.4 percent of his passes for 1,983 yards with eight touchdowns and an NFL-high 13 interceptions. He missed the Jets' last game with a sprained knee, and it's unclear if he or Bryce Petty will start under center after Gang Green returns from this week's bye.
"Based on the season (Fitzpatrick) had prior to this season, he was very instrumental in a lot of our success in the 10-6 season," Maccagnan said. "I have no regrets about bringing Ryan back. I think going into it, we felt very good about the season Ryan had previously.
"I have no regrets from that standpoint. Of course, I think everybody, and Ryan included, would probably say he holds himself to a fairly high standard. I'm sure there are aspects that he would like to ... we all would like to have better success on the field as a team."
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Revis, 31, has struggled in coverage this season and has even admitted to reporters that he's "breaking down" and "getting old."
Maccagnan said Revis has "glitches in his play" but that he believes the seven-time Pro Bowler is still a good player who can help the Jets win.
Despite the dismal season so far, the general manager said he still thinks highly of coach Todd Bowles and sees encouraging signs from the team's developing young players, among them nose tackle Deon Simon, linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin and offensive tackle Ben Ijalana.
Of course, there's much spectulation about the team's young quarterbacks, Petty and rookie Christian Hackenberg, and how much they might play over the final six games. Maccagnan said it's Bowles' decision as to who will start, but added that the coach consults with his assistant and Maccagnan.
"You weigh a lot of different things into making the quarterback decision," Maccagnan said. "It's not, 'Let's play the young guys and see what happens.'"
The GM added that it's important to make sure young players are ready for the situation.
