The New York Jets quarterback situation is a hot mess right now, and it does not appear to be getting any better anytime soon. The team has reportedly offered Ryan Fitzpatrick a three-year deal worth $24 million, with incentives that could bump it up to $36 million. The reports suggest the deal includes $12 million in year one, and thus $6 million per year in the other two years, pre-incentives.
Apparently the Jets have been leaking information like crazy, and now there are reports Fitzpatrick is pissed off. Jets beat writer Manish Mehta is reporting Jets sources that include players believe Fitzpatrick is open to taking less money elsewhere just on principle. It is only speculation for now, but this followed word that players were unhappy with the situation, and some notable names were skipping parts of the offseason workout program in solidarity with Fitzpatrick. It appears that might have been overblown to some extent, but given Fitzpatrick's performance last year, I can see why skill position players in particularly might not be happy about how Jets management is handling this.
Fitzpatrick finished last season with 3,905 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. His touchdowns were a franchise record, and also a career high for Fitzpatrick. The journeyman had some solid years with the Buffalo Bills, but last season was far and away the best season of his career. It makes sense he would want to cash in on that, but it also makes sense that the Jets would not want to give big QB money.
Our San Francisco 49ers face a lot of questions about the quarterback position, but I don't think anybody has issues quite like the Jets. Kaepernick is coming off a bad year that was influenced by several injuries. Gabbert did some decent things last season replacing Kaepernick, but the bar was incredibly low for him. And yet, the 49ers situation pales in comparison to the Jets right now. They have Geno Smith, Bryce Petty, and Christian Hackenberg on the roster. I think Fitzpatrick eventually returns given the depth on the roster, and all but certainty he would be the starter. But I don't know how long this is going to take to play out.