Free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick hasn’t received a contract offer thus far, but he intends to continue his career in 2017, according to Gary Myers of the New York Daily News. However, Fitzpatrick did admit that his struggles in 2016 forced him to consider retirement.
“Last year was the most difficult year for me,” Fitzpatrick said. “Not physically, just kind of mentally and emotionally. I had to take a step back and think about it. Is this something I still want to do? Football is something so ingrained in me, something I love doing and definitely something I want to do. I still want to compete and I still think I can contribute whether I am in a starting role or whatever capacity.”
Fitzpatrick, 34, struggled through a nightmarish 2016 campaign, at times losing his starting job with the Jets while tossing 12 touchdowns against 17 interceptions. The year prior, however, Fitzpatrick managed 31 scores, and thanks to the dearth of quarterback options around the league, he’s PFR’s No. 2 free agent signal-caller at the moment. Fitzpatrick won’t be afforded another starting opportunity, but clubs that could speculatively use a backup quarterback include the Rams and Lions.
Fitzpatrick should come cheap, as he won’t garner anything close to the $12MM he earned with Gang Green last year. Thanks to the structure of his Jets contract, Fitzpatrick still counts for $5MM in dead money on New York’s 2017 salary cap.