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This Ryan Fitzpatrick situation is going to be interesting. It should not come as surprise that he’s likely going to hit free agency . . .
Agent Jimmy Sexton’s agency leaked to Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport that Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets are far apart on a new contract. It was also leaked to the pair that Fitzpatrick will likely hit free agency.
There is a price to pay for the scoops these insiders get. It means you can’t criticize the person who is leaking the info – agent, player, coach and so forth.
Why do you think I’m one of the few people destroying that awful Darrelle Revis contract? So many others get stuff from agents Schwartz and Feinsod, so the reporters want to stay on their good side. Ripping Revis or the contract isn’t a good way to stay on their good side.
And that contract has thrown a monkey wrench into the Jets’ free agent game plan this year. There is no way around that. It’s the elephant in the room. It’s a really bad deal. A 31-year-old CB is getting $17 million this year. It’s going to hurt the Jets a lot this off-season. Bad contract.
I can say that. I’m not in the Schwartz/Feinsod cabal.
Keep an eye on Denver in all of this.
If Brock Osweiler signs elsewhere, Fitzpatrick is a strong possibility for Denver,
The Broncos have made an offer to Osweiler, reportedly in the $12 million-a-year range. Sounds fair to me. The guy started seven games, and after a strong start, teams started to figure him out of a little and his play dipped.
John Elway doesn’t mess around. If Osweiler wants a lot more than $12 million-a-year, Elway will let him walk.
And then there is a good chance he makes a run at Fitz.
So from what I’m told, keep a close eye on that Denver situation.
There is going to be a bloodletting at some point in the next few days in Florham Park – guys like Jeremy Kerley, Jeff Cumberland, maybe Nick Folk, perhaps Breno Giacomini to create cap space.
Not much they can do with the Revis contract, and his camp is probably not inclined to do anything. You know how they roll.
I think in his heart of hearts, Fitz realizes that it’s best for him to stay with the Jets. He’s in Chan Gailey’s system, which fits him like the glove he wore on his left hand. Also, he has amazing chemistry with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. If he goes somewhere else for big money, there will be perhaps unrealistic expectations for him as a big money signee, and he will have to get comfortable in a new system with new player. So the Jets are clearly the best spot for him.
But he’s not going to take what he considers a low ball offer from Gang Green.
The ridiculous money, that above-average (not great) quarterbacks like Joe Flacco and Sam Bradford just got, upped the ante for Fitz, whether the Jets like it or not.
And if they play hardball, there is a chance Fitz bolts for Denver, if Osweiler signs elsewhere.
March 7, 2016
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