The New York Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick are going nowhere as it pertains to a new contract, and things are quickly spiraling out of control.
One day after a report indicated things will “get uglier before they get better,” a new report indicates Fitzpatrick could sign with another team, for less, out of spite.
Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News offered this insight Tuesday morning:
“Jets sources, including players, now believe that Fitzpatrick is amenable to spurning them on principle and taking less money to play elsewhere. They no longer think that Fitzpatrick’s return is a fait accompli.”
Talk about getting ugly.
Fitzpatrick was rumored to be willing to not play, rather than play for the current deal the Jets are offering. Likely that was an empty threat, because he’s nowhere near ready to finish playing this game. That said, this latest report would be another way of spitting in the face of New York, which hasn’t exactly done him any favors this offseason.
The latest report on the offer that has Fitzpatrick so upset comes by way of Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, who says it’s a three-year deal worth up to $36 million, with $15 million guaranteed. It’s been reported that $12 million of that guaranteed money would be paid in 2016, with the final two years being essentially throw-away years, from the Jets’ perspective.
When you consider Nick Foles will earn $12 million in 2016 for holding a clipboard, it’s easy to understand why Fitzpatrick would be so upset right now. The Jets desperately need Fitzpatrick back this year, or the 2016 campaign will be a lost cause.
Geno Smith isn’t good enough to keep the offense afloat. Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg are nowhere close to being ready to play. It would be a shame to see the rest of the roster suffer with any of these three at the helm.
This story is going to be fascinating to follow in the coming weeks and months.