Time to end Ryan Fitzpatrick negotiations

As the New York Jets start training camp, it’s time to move on from the distractions and end negotiations with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Training camp is upon us, and the New York Jets haven’t signed quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick yet. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News in his piece “Jets have given Ryan Fitzpatrick multiple contract offers to choose from“, the franchise have sent him multiple offers, and he hasn’t accepted any of them. The Jets need to take all offers off the table as it’s time for negotiations to end and focus on the 2016 season without him.

The latest wrinkle in the painstaking attempt to reunite the Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick has a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure theme that might put an end to this six-month impasse.

The Daily News has learned that the Jets have given the veteran quarterback multiple offers with the hope of bringing back their undisputed leader from a year ago before the start of training camp this week.

Fitzpatrick had a good season in 2015, and he deserved the attention the Jets gave him early on, but enough is enough. Yes, he set the record for touchdowns in a season, and yes, for the first time in team history two receivers scored 10+ touchdowns in a season, but where do they draw the line in the sand?

There seems to be a big shift in the thought of fans, as many fans are starting to jump on the Geno Smith bandwagon. If Fitzpatrick were to sign now, and undoubtedly be the starter, he wouldn’t have much rope to play with the fans. If he has a poor game or two to start the season, we would undoubtedly hear a chorus of boos raining down at MetLife Stadium.

The problem is no longer the fact that Fitzpatrick wants too much money. It’s that this is dragging on for far too long. The team can’t go into training camp thinking we may or may not have him on the team.

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The coaching staff is saying the right things by saying Smith is our guy and not talking about Fitzpatrick to the media.

However, when Brandon Marshall comes out and starts saying that he wants him back and posts pictures with Fitzpatrick and his family, it proves that the contract discussion is indeed a distraction, no matter what the players say.

There is no need for the angst. A 33-year-old journeyman quarterback isn’t worth it. If Fitzpatrick is supposed to be their best option, and he doesn’t want to be here, let him walk. Let’s look at the positive this could bring.

It seems to be a win-win. If Fitzpatrick doesn’t play, and the Jets are as bad as expected with Smith, the Jets could get a No. 1 pick. With that No. 1 pick, they could land Deshaun Watson, as he is a future franchise quarterback. If Smith has progressed the way some believe, the Jets could have a similar season to the one they just had.

must read: Training Camp Preview: Wide Receivers

There’s absolutely no reason to allow this to drag on through training camp. There’s no need for the camp distraction. The Jets need to end all negotiations with Fitzpatrick and finally move on without him.

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