FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Ryan Fitzpatrick is the Jets’ free-agent quarterback of choice. Not Nick Foles, according to general manager Mike Maccagnan.
During Day 3 of the NFL draft, Maccagnan denied the rumor that the Jets are actively engaged in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams for Foles.
“We’re not, at this point in time, I would say, in discussions with any other teams for any other quarterbacks,” he said Saturday afternoon, shortly after the team selected N.C. State cornerback Juston Burris 118th overall in the fourth round. “…So at least I can put that to bed at this point in time.”
Earlier in the day, Huffington Post Sports reported that the Jets were in “preliminary talks” with the Rams about Foles but both sides disagree on “appropriate compensation.”
Maccagnan, however, stressed that re-signing Fitzpatrick is their priority — even with Friday’s second-round selection of Penn State signal-caller Christian Hackenberg.
“Our focus from the pro standpoint is to get Ryan back in the fold. I’ve said that repeatedly,” Maccagnan said, before trading their 2017 fourth-round pick to the Redskins in order to move up to select South Carolina offensive lineman Brandon Shell at No. 158.
“Nothing has changed from that standpoint,” the GM added, referring to Fitzpatrick sage. “And I would say, in regards to players on other teams, I can’t really comment necessarily on that. But Ryan is a free agent, although we want him back, obviously. And we’ve been very public about that. But again, you go through the process of being prepared for alternative things that may arise.”
Still, he insisted a Foles deal isn’t in the works.
The Jets now have three project quarterbacks and no clear-cut Week 1 starter: Geno Smith, Bryce Petty and now Hackenberg.
Head coach Todd Bowles said they’d ideally like to have Fitzpatrick re-signed by training camp, but added: “We’ve got three guys here …We’re not just waiting for him to come back. We have guys we’re getting ready to play. We can only control the guys that are in our building right now.”
..... - Newsday