The New York Jets could very well be close to bringing veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick back.
Following what has been a heated stalemate between the team and the free agent, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that talks are heating up between the two sides.
Talks are heating up for the #Jets and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, and they are negotiating back-and-forth. Jets trying to get it done.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 27, 2016
It was just last week that many believed the Jets would be forced to go with former second-round bust Geno Smith at quarterback to start the season.
While that might very well still be the case, this is definitely a good sign for the Jets.
Fitzpatrick, 33, put up a career-best performance in 2015, tallying 3,905 passing yards with 31 touchdowns en route to leading the Jets to a surprising 10-win campaign.
The alternative here obviously wouldn’t have been to the liking of fans in New Jersey. Smith’s lack of success as the team’s starting quarterback throughout his career would have set back any progress New York made in terms of closing the gap between itself and the New England Patriots.
He’s posted a career 11-18 record with eight more interceptions than touchdowns in 29 starts. Needless to say, the Jets must find a way to get something done with Fitzpatrick in order to compete in the AFC East this season.
The biggest hold up in negotiations has been the number of guaranteed years that Fitzpatrick was said to be demanding. The Jets wanted to pay him guaranteed cash through the 2016 season while the veteran was asking for a multi-year guarantee (more on that here).
Should something happen here soon, there’s little doubt Fitzpatrick would regain his starting job, ultimately helping the Jets compete for a playoff spot.