Report: Pressure On Jets, Fitzpatrick To Reach Deal By Tuesday
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The monthslong standoff between the Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick could be nearing an end, according to one report.
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Tuesday's start of the Jets' OTAs is "the first legitimate deadline for when both sides would like a deal to be done if Fitzpatrick is going to remain starting quarterback of the Jets."
Rapoport, however, did not say whether he believed that was a hard deadline.
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. But the two sides have been locked in a stalemate in contract talks. The Jets have reportedly offered Fitzpatrick a deal for $7 million to $8 million annually, while Fitzpatrick has been seeking significantly more.
Rapoport reported that the Jets have held firm on their offer but that Fitzpatrick wants to get "a little more money" out of the organization, an indication that he may be lowering his salary demands.
Meanwhile, Jets wide receiver Eric Decker told SiriusXM Radio on Tuesday that the players have to be prepared for life without Fitzpatrick.
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"All I can say is we have to move on without him, right now," Decker said. "Because they are stuck where they are with the business decision, where they want to go with the money, who's going to break. But again we have a job to do and that's to be the best football team, field the best football team of who we have in the locker room right now."
However, in a seperate interview on NFL Network, Decker said he ultimately expects Fitzpatrick to be the Jets' Week 1 starter.
If Fitzpatrick does not sign by Tuesday, the Jets will enter OTAs with Geno Smith as their No. 1 quarterback.
