NY Jets: Top 5 scenarios for quarterback situation

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) and New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) warmup for their game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The NY Jets still have one big question mark about their quarterback situation heading next into next season. Anything could happen this offseason to dramatically change the most important position on the team.

At this point in time, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has yet to be re-signed as the only players on the roster at the position are Geno Smith and Bryce Petty. Smith has starter experience but is inconsistent and lacks leadership. Petty is far too inexperienced to be a starting option as he’s still being developed to possibly one day be their franchise quarterback.

There is no guarantee Fitzpatrick returns as he’s set to hit free agency on March 9th if the Jets don’t hammer out a deal soon. Smith’s fate is also still in the air as he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract and so far this offseason, the Jets haven’t said a word on if he’ll even be on the final roster entering next season.

So what are the scenarios the Jets face depending on what goes down over these next few months? Here are the top five scenarios for their quarterback situation.

Next: 5. Fitzpatrick continues making magic

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass during the third quarter of game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. New York Jets defeat the New England Patriots 26-20 in OT. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

5. Fitzpatrick continues making magic

In this scenario, the Jets agree on a new deal that keeps Fitzpatrick as their main option under center. It’s a no-brainer since he made franchise history last season with the team. He even broke the all-time record for touchdowns in a season that was set by Vinny Testaverde.

Last season, Fitzpatrick totaled the best year of his career with 3,905 passing yards on 335 completions, 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He was one of the main reasons why the Jets enjoyed a bounce back year that ended at 10-6 with almost a ticket into the NFL Playoffs as a Wild Card team.

Even though the Jets fell short of making the playoffs due to their season finale loss to the Buffalo Bills, Fitzpatrick is the best option at the moment for the Jets to continue the momentum of 2015. He’s familiar with the system, receiving options and puts the Jets in a position to get right back into being a contender again.

Bringing back Fitzpatrick to continue his “Fitzmagic” is the best situation the Jets could ask for at quarterback heading into next season.

Next: 4. Fitzpatrick bolts via free agency

Oct 25, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) celebrates a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

4. Fitzpatrick bolts via free agency

While Fitzpatrick enjoyed one heck of a season with the Jets, don’t forget that he knows he holds major leverage when it comes to his contract negotiations with the team. He could easily make the claim that he put up one heck of a season and if quarterback Sam Bradford can get a two-year/$35M deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, Fitzpatrick should also see a similar deal since he put up much better statistics.

$17.5M per year for Bradford has pretty much set the market now for free agent quarterbacks. When looking at the list of free agents at the position, Fitzpatrick would easily be one of the top players at quarterback should he hit free agency. There is no doubt he’ll have a few teams inquiring about his asking price and services.

Should Fitzpatrick leave, the Jets would more than likely have Smith be their starter for next season, Petty moves to No. 2 on the depth chart and they would more than likely get another veteran free agent quarterback or draft another option.

This situation would be exactly like it was last offseason as many will remember, Smith was beating out Fitzpatrick in training camps until his unfortunate jaw-breaking incident during the summer with a teammate that had him lose it all.

Next: 3. Jets re-sign Fitzpatrick/release Smith

Nov 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) looks to throw a pass against the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jets re-sign Fitzpatrick/release Smith

So far this offseason, both head coach Todd Bowles and even general manager Mike Maccagnan have been non-committal to what the future lies for Smith this offseason. Again, nobody really knows what is going to transpire but in this situation, the Jets could very well release Smith once they re-sign Fitzpatrick and effectively move Petty to the No. 2 spot.

In this case, the Jets would more than likely sign an “insurance policy” veteran quarterback via free agency or even draft another one in this year’s draft. Smith would probably find a new team as a backup option but more than likely not be considered a starting caliber option should he hit the market.

This could happen if the Jets feel the entire summer incident and his lack of maturity over the years isn’t worth the headache anymore. Considering he had the starting job locked up last summer and lost it because he didn’t pay a debt back to a teammate who effectively punched him so hard in the jaw it broke and required him to miss a part of the season, that could have been all she wrote it for him.

The new leadership regime of the Jets doesn’t owe him anything and they could release him to avoid anymore distractions in the future.

Next: 2. Fitzpatrick leaves but a new free agent enters the mix

Aug 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) in a preseason NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

2. Fitzpatrick leaves but a new free agent enters the mix

If Fitzpatrick hits free agency and signs with another team, the Jets will have some major issues to address this offseason at quarterback. It completely changes everything for the Jets as they prepare to be a contender again next season. Of course it all starts at quarterback as if they can’t keep Fitzpatrick for the next year or two, they’re going to need another option without question at quarterback.

Smith might have learned a thing or two from sitting on the bench for most of last season but then again, he could continue being one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL and would regress the Jets in 2016. Petty is not ready yet and is a backup at best in this point of his young career.

Should the Jets find themselves in this situation, their best bet is to bring in the best free agent quarterback available they can afford to at least have some options to consider come training camp and preseason football. Players like Robert Griffin, Brock Osweiler or even Ryan Lindley could give the Jets a temporary solution if Fitzpatrick slips through their fingers if they come in at the right price.

In this situation, there is no telling if the Jets can continue their offensive magic or have to redo their entire playbook to better suit their next new quarterback under center.

Next: 1. A blockbuster of a situation

Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass in the first quarter of their game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

1. A blockbuster of a situation

There are many that honestly feel no matter what, Fitzpatrick isn’t the answer to the grand scheme of things on the Jets for next season because he’s inconsistent and doesn’t have a good follow-up season when he does good. Despite his amazing season last year, many believe that he would never replicate it and is just one good hit away from missing significant amounts of playing time.

Some even feel the Jets should look for another option at quarterback or even give Smith one last shot at glory to see if he can finally be the quarterback of the future they need. The Jets already hit defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson with their franchise tag and they might even consider trading him. This could actually be something that helps them address their quarterback situation. If Fitzpatrick leaves via free agency, the Jets might consider trading to get what they need.

Nobody will ever really know what’s going on behind closed doors with the Jets and all these contract negotiations and possible trades this offseason, but imagine if the Jets pull off one blockbuster trade to answer their quarterback situation and trade Wilkerson in exchange for a top player and draft pick?

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To secure the talents of a Matthew Stafford, Drew Brees or even a Philip Rivers would be huge for the Jets. Of course who knows if these could realistically happen but as the saying goes, never say never. The Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers all need help on their defensive line and have quarterbacks that might thrive on a new team like the Jets. This would be quite the situation for the team since Wilkerson wants a big money contract and well, the Jets might need an established quarterback to push the envelope next season beyond their wildest dreams.