Report: Fitzpatrick Says He'd Rather Sit Out Season Than Accept Jets' Offer
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Don't assume the Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick will inevitably agree on a contract.
The free agent quarterback has told people he would "rather not play football than play for the Jets at their contract offer," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday.
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Despite that Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan has repeatedly said he wants to re-sign Fitzpatrick and that Fitzpatrick has said he would like to return to the Jets, the two sides have been locked in a stalemate in contract talks for several weeks. The Jets have reportedly offered Fitzpatrick a deal for $7 million to $8 million annually while Fitzpatrick is looking for significantly more.
Last season, Fitzparick led the Jets to a 10-6 record, passing for 3,905 and a team-record 31 touchdowns.
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If Fitzpatrick, 33, does not return in 2016, the Jets could turn to one of last season's backups, Geno Smith or Bryce Petty; sign a free agent such as Brian Hoyer; trade for a QB such as Cleveland's Josh McCown, Tampa Bay's Mike Glennon or San Francisco's Colin Kaepernick; or select one in the early rounds of the draft.