“Fitz” is finally home.
After months of stalled contract negotiations, the Jets finally got their man: 34-year-old free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Almost seven months after the veteran quarterback ended his breakout 2015 season, he and the Jets agreed to a one-year deal worth $12 million on Wednesday, a source confirmed.
News of Fitzpatrick’s return was a welcome relief for fans and for an organization that had made it clear in January that it wanted to reunite with the 12-year pro. However, the two sides had long been at odds over money.
Early in free agency, sources indicted the Jets’ initial offer was about $7 million or $8 million a year — well below the going rate for NFL starting quarterbacks ($18 million) and what Fitzpatrick had expected.
Following his trade from Houston in March 2015, the career journeyman assumed the No. 1 job (after Geno Smith was injured in training camp) and helped transform a 4-12 club into a team eyeing a playoff berth. With Fitzpatrick leading their revamped offense, the Jets finished 10-6 last season, one win shy of the final AFC wild-card spot.
Fitzpatrick threw a career-high 31 touchdowns, a Jets franchise record, and 3,905 passing yards.
Though he and the Jets had refused to budge on compensation until Wednesday, Florham Park, New Jersey, had long been considered Fitzpatrick’s likely landing spot. He returns to work with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, his former head coach in Buffalo, and has receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker to throw to again. Last year, the receiving duo caught 26 of Fitzpatrick’s touchdowns.
The Jets selected Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg in the second round in the draft, but the organization always viewed Fitzpatrick as part of their plan for 2016.
“Our focus from the pro standpoint is to get Ryan back in the fold. I’ve said that repeatedly,” general manager Mike Maccagnan said on April 30, the day after they drafted Hackenberg. “Nothing has changed from that standpoint.”
With the return of Fitzpatrick, the Jets now have four quarterbacks, including Hackenberg, Smith and Bryce Petty.
Hackenberg may very well be be their future. But for now, the present belongs to Fitzpatrick.
..... - Newsday