Palladino: Fitzpatrick Must Be Realistic And Sign Jets' Offer
By Ernie Palladino
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It takes a lot to turn opinion in the Jets' favor, but Ryan Fitzpatrick has managed to do just that.
After months of the perception that general manager Mike Maccagnan has played hardball with his preferred field general, the news leaks that Fitzpatrick has for months had a three-year deal that will pay him a guaranteed $12 million has turned him into a greedy character.
As has been said many times, the Jets have never been known as an organization that throws around money willy-nilly, unless that player is named Darrelle Revis. But they're in the right this time. That being the case, it is now time for Fitzpatrick to look himself in the mirror, realize that a journeyman stopgap who had one great year is not worth the $14 million to $16 million he seeks, and sign on the dotted line.
For once, this is not about the Jets disrespecting established talent. The money is nothing to sniff at, considering the Jets have just $3.575 million in salary cap space and that, despite the 10-6 record and Fitzpatrick's on-field chemistry with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, he still has yet to lead a team to the playoffs.
A realistic look at his career arc and a limited future on a team that has Bryce Petty and this year's second-round pick, Christian Hackenberg, waiting to play should tell Fitzpatrick that he remains a short-term option. That is why the second and third years of the contract are reportedly worth only $6 million each. The plain fact is Fitzpatrick may not even be with the team in 2017. Or if he is, he could fall into a backup role.
Paying double-digit millions for a backup would prove an expensive luxury for any team.
The Jets have guaranteed him a substantial sum. It's nowhere near the $37 million the Texans guaranteed Brock Osweiler, whose total four-year deal is worth $72 million. But Osweiler is 25 years old, and the Texans see him as their potential franchise quarterback.
If he's looking at the four-year, $84 million ($36.5 million guaranteed) extension Eli Manning signed in 2015, Fitzpatrick would also be wrong. Manning has two Super Bowls under his belt, not to mention a durability history that is now at 183 consecutive starts.
Is Fitzpatrick due the same respect as the other two?
No.
But this is not an issue of respect. On the Jets' end, like any other team, it's a matter of immediate need versus the future. The Jets can use him now. The situation could well change next year, and will almost certainly reverse itself in the contract's third year.
One last bit of unpleasantness: in a final game where a win in Buffalo would have sent his team to the playoffs, Fitzpatrick fell apart with three interceptions and a 16-of-37, 181-yard passing outing. The two touchdown passes simply were not enough in the 22-17 loss.
The franchise-record 31 passing touchdowns doesn't qualify him as a Jets great. He merely had an outstanding season amid a generally mediocre 11-year career.
The Jets have shown him an appropriate level of respect with their offer, especially considering Fitzpatrick is bargaining in a one-team market.
It's time Fitzpatrick reciprocated the gesture.
He needs to sign this thing and get himself to the offseason workouts.
Follow Ernie on Twitter at @ErniePalladino