Reports: Ryan Fitzpatrick's demands irk Jets, too steep for Broncos
Ryan Fitzpatrick is, somehow, one of the top free-agent quarterbacks out there. But teams are reportedly getting annoyed by his contract demands.
By
Will Brinson
•
2 min read
Ryan Fitzpatrick is, somehow, one of the top free-agent quarterbacks out there. But teams are reportedly getting annoyed by his contract demands.
The New York Jets, who Fitzpatrick nearly helped to the playoffs in 2015, are the really obvious landing spot for him. Chan Gailey's offense is a perfect fit for Fitz, who's had his most success working with the Jets offensive coordinator. Acting like he'll play well wherever he goes is folly.
But the Jets, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, are getting frustrated by Fitz attempting to play free-agency chicken.
#Jets are frustrated with Fitzpatrick. They aren't going to circle with him forever. They believe his market outside of NY is very thin.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 11, 2016
They believe correctly! When Brock Osweiler signed a $72 million contract this offseason to join the Houston Texans, it created a game of musical chairs with quarterbacks, primarily centered around the Broncos, Browns, 49ers and Jets.
San Francisco holds the big piece to the puzzle with Colin Kaepernick. His fate will determine the next set of dominos to fall. The Browns are likely to dabble in the draft if they don't land Kap. Neither feels like a landing spot for Fitz.
Denver had an opening created with Osweiler's move and has been tied to the former Harvard quarterback.
The Broncos have had discussions with Fitz' representation, but according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Broncos are "currently unwilling to pay the salary" Fitzpatrick wants.
In other words, the long and short of it for Fitzpatrick is this: he wants to get Sam Bradford money (a.k.a. $18 million a year or somewhere in the range). But teams see him as successful in Gailey's system and, at 33 years old, a bridge quarterback at absolute best.
Signing Fitzpatrick to a 3-year, $45 million deal is the type of move that will end up making you regret about $40 million of the contract.
The Jets recently brought in Robert Griffin III for a visit, but reports indicate it's only as leverage against Fitzpatrick.
Kaepernick's mostly been connected to Cleveland and Denver, although ultimately he has to go wherever the 49ers decide to send him.
At this point it appears the Jets prefer Fitz at the right price, Kaepernick through trade and while maybe hoping Gailey fixes RG3.
If all else fails they're just going to pull the rip cord and sign Brian Hoyer. Someone is going to lose in this game and lose big.
