New York Jets And Ryan Fitzpatrick Reach A New Deal
With training camp starting up, one story that everyone was watching leading up to training camp was the contract talks between the New York Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. According to Adam Schefter, the team and Fitzpatrick finally agreed on a new 1-year deal, worth $12 million.
In 16 games last season, Fitzpatrick threw for 3,905 yards, 31 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, with a passer rating of 88.0. Heading into the preseason last season, Fitzpatrick was scheduled to be the backup quarterback to starting quarterback Geno Smith.
As many are aware, that all changed when Smith suffered a broken jaw during training camp. With him out, Fitzpatrick took the chance as starting quarterback and made the most with it.
During Smith’s absence, Fitzpatrick led the Jets to a winning record, playing amazing football, making plays with his arm and moving down the field. Last season was Fitzpatrick’s best season in the league, as the team almost made the playoffs, only to lose in Week 17 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, knocking them out of the playoff hunt.
With Fitzpatrick signed just in time for training camp, the team now can focus on winning the AFC East and making the playoffs with no distractions from the media. The team must be really happy to have him back, as Fitzpatrick is the teams best option at quarterback.
A lot of people are surprised that both sides got a deal done in time, but luckily both sides did. The one-year deal is smart, it gives Fitzpatrick a chance to prove that the success of last season was not a fluke, while making a good amount of money.
On the Fitzpatrick side of things, he must be happy that both sides got a deal done, and now he can focus on football and making the team a playoff contender this upcoming season.
In order for Fitzpatrick to get the big money long term deal he wants, he has to prove to the team that he is worth it by having the same success that he had last season and leading the team to the playoffs. If Fitzpatrick can do that, he will be looking for a big payday next offseason.
Even though Fitzpatrick was the starting quarterback last season, that does not mean that coming into training camp he will be handed back the starting job.
Fitzpatrick will have Smith, who has been preparing all offseason to take over for Fitzpatrick, so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in this Quarterback competition.
If Week 1 was starting tomorrow, the edge would have to go to Fitzpatrick to win the job, since the team is so much better with Fitzpatrick starting than the team is with Smith starting.
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