8:57pm: Decker’s absence from OTAs does stem from his dissatisfaction with the lack of progress toward a new deal for Fitzpatrick, reports Costello (Twitter link).
5:36pm: It’s nearly June, which means NFL training camp is creeping closer, but the Jets and free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick continue to make no progress toward a new contract. The two sides haven’t engaged in discussions in several weeks, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter).
For his part, Fitzpatrick indicated on Monday that he’d like to return to the Jets, saying, “I had a great time with the guys last year and I want to continue doing this. I’m still preparing for the season.”
Fitzpatrick added that “the discussions have been behind closed doors,” but if Costello’s report is accurate, those closed-door 
talks haven’t happened in a while.
The 33-year-old Fitzpatrick, whom the Jets acquired from the Texans for a late-round pick in March 2015, has been pushing for a contract commensurate to his performance last season. The well-traveled Fitzpatrick had a career campaign as part of a 10-6 club, amassing personal bests in yards (3,905) and touchdown passes (31) against 15 interceptions.
The Jets aren’t as bullish on Fitzpatrick as he is on himself, however, as they’ve reportedly tried to lock him up to a deal in the $7MM-per-year range. That’s similar annual value to the contracts Robert Griffin III and Chase Daniel signed earlier this offseason with the Browns and Eagles, respectively, but Fitzpatrick has been significantly more productive than those two in recent years.
With Fitzpatrick currently out of the Jets’ equation, the club has three less-than-ideal signal-calling options in Geno Smith, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. Smith has struggled mightily during his three-year NFL career, while Petty and Hackenberg have a combined zero pro snaps between them. New York did invest respectable resources in the tandem, though, with Petty going in the fourth round of the 2015 draft and Hackenberg in the second round this year. Further, offensive coordinator Chan Gailey stated Wednesday that Gang Green would be content with any member of its current troika under center this year. Receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, both of whom were absent from voluntary OTAs on Wednesday, might disagree. Marshall’s absence is unrelated to Fitzpatrick’s situation, however, per Costello (via Twitter).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Decker clearly doesn’t want to get himself killed so the Jets can pinch pennies. Just a matter of time before Geno throws one high over the middle, or hangs one along the sideline and a safety takes his head off.
I think Fitz and Jets need eachother. He is in the perfect place there because of the O Line, the RB situation and the sediment WRs around him and not to mention the defense they have and because of all those things he was set up to have a great year and should have the same type of season this season again. I love that everyone thought Marshall was done last year and he was great. I knew it was just the situation he was in. I love that Decker is sticking up for Fitz, I think it’s ridiculous that they have been trying to avoid the guy after the year he had! You don’t have a QB then you’re not making the playoffs so they should know that and pay the guy already!
If he would’ve beat buffalo last year. We wouldn’t be Having this discussion. He stunk the last game of the year and knocked us out of the playoffs. I would give Geno a chance. He did beat fitz out for the starting job until he had his broken. ✈️ #GangGreen #NYJ
Is the guy very clutch? No. Did he benefit from a good amount of talent around him, especially at the skill positions? Yes. Are you guaranteed a playoff spot with him? No. Is he the Jets best option at QB so they can have the best year possible? Easily yes.
So go make it happen already! Even if you have to go too high on dollars it’s not like you have to sign him for a ton of years.
All that said, I can see how the Jets hold most of he cards. If they want to roll the dice on another QB they already have, then they could do that no problem. I don’t think it’s very smart, but they could do it. If Fitz wants to be a guaranteed starter then his options are pretty much the Jets and no one else. “Maybe” the 49ers, but they’ll be bad enough that I don’t know why they’d pay to bring in a veteran QB.
I slightly disagree. That’s a team that’s built to win right now. Marshal is still a monster but isn’t getting younger. The best players on that defense are still playing great but are not young guys. That team will miss any chance they had to catch lightning in a bottle this way.