PFT -- The standoff between the Jets and free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has been going on for quite a while now and Fitzpatrick appears to be trying a new tactic to get the Jets to offer him more money.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Fitzpatrick has told people that he would “rather not play football” than play for the Jets under the terms of their current offer. The Jets have reportedly offered Fitzpatrick somewhere in the neighborhood of $8 million while Fitzpatrick is reportedly seeking considerably more to return for a second season with the team.
That gap has been in place for the entire offseason and the Jets have visited with a couple of other quarterbacks — Robert Griffin III and Brian Hoyer — without signing either one. Jets General Manager Mike Maccagnan said last week that re-signing Fitzpatrick remains the team’s focus, but there’s been no sign that they’re reversing course on their offer.
Schefter’s report doesn’t specify if Fitzpatrick would play for another team for the money the Jets are offering, but there hasn’t been any sign that anyone else is going to top what the Jets are willing to pay him. Brian Costello of the New York Post reports that Fitzpatrick “wants to play” and is not willing to sit out, although it’s not clear what he’d do if their offer remains the best one on the table.
The draft could bring a change if the Jets have their eye on an incoming quarterback and aren’t able to acquire him, but it’s not clear what else might shift their view of Fitzpatrick’s value at this point.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Fitzpatrick has told people that he would “rather not play football” than play for the Jets under the terms of their current offer. The Jets have reportedly offered Fitzpatrick somewhere in the neighborhood of $8 million while Fitzpatrick is reportedly seeking considerably more to return for a second season with the team.
That gap has been in place for the entire offseason and the Jets have visited with a couple of other quarterbacks — Robert Griffin III and Brian Hoyer — without signing either one. Jets General Manager Mike Maccagnan said last week that re-signing Fitzpatrick remains the team’s focus, but there’s been no sign that they’re reversing course on their offer.
Schefter’s report doesn’t specify if Fitzpatrick would play for another team for the money the Jets are offering, but there hasn’t been any sign that anyone else is going to top what the Jets are willing to pay him. Brian Costello of the New York Post reports that Fitzpatrick “wants to play” and is not willing to sit out, although it’s not clear what he’d do if their offer remains the best one on the table.
The draft could bring a change if the Jets have their eye on an incoming quarterback and aren’t able to acquire him, but it’s not clear what else might shift their view of Fitzpatrick’s value at this point.
