Eric Decker skipping OTAs means nothing

Starting wide receiver of the New York Jets Eric Decker is skipping OTAs because of built up frustration with the team according to the New York Post.

The New York Jets are in the middle of their OTA’s as they prepare for the 2016 season. There were several notable absences, including wide receiver Eric Decker. When the second day of OTA’s wrapped up, the Jets held a press conference to address the media.

Related Story: Predicting final outcome with Ryan Fitzpatrick

While it seemed innocent on the surface considering these OTA’s are in fact voluntary, later Tuesday night, another possibility for their absence arose. Brian Costello, the New York Jets beat writer for the New York Post tweeted out this nugget to the surprise of many.

Eric Decker skipped OTAs this week because he is upset the organization has yet to sign Ryan Fitzpatrick, according to a source. #nyj

— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) May 26, 2016

Thanks to the Media Relations Department of the Jets, we were able to collect some of head coach Todd Bowles‘ thoughts:

On Nick Mangold, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker not being present during voluntary OTAs…

Yes, I knew they weren’t going to be here.

On if the absences of Marshall, Mangold and Decker is possibly related to them being unhappy that Ryan Fitzpatrick has not been re-signed…

I don’t think so. But you’d have to ask them that. But I don’t think so.

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets should target TE Hunter Henry in free agency
• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency

Which caused an uproar on Twitter and Jets fans expressed their displeasure with Decker’s supposed reasoning for skipping OTA’s.

But there is something that has to be considered here.

Even if this report is true, does it even matter?

To reiterate, these OTA’s are voluntary and technically no Jets player has to be here. Bowles reiterated that again:

On if he knows whether they will be here…

It’s voluntary. When they finish doing what they have to do, they’ll be here.

On if those three had other commitments…

It’s voluntary so it really didn’t matter.

It’s voluntary folks, it doesn’t really matter what Decker’s reasoning was for skipping. Maybe he had another commitment and all the media members are just trying to find material to write about.

So Decker can continue to skip every OTA through June 9th and it won’t make a difference or even send a message for that matter. But his message will have much stronger meaning if he were to continue this holdout through the mandatory mini-camp come June 14th-16th.

If this report is true, that really makes Smith look bad. It’s one thing for players like Marshall and Decker to make cute videos trying to get Fitzpatrick back. It’s a completely different notion to skip voluntary or potentially mandatory mini-camps because the team hasn’t signed the quarterback you’d rather have.

More jets: Predicting starting wide receivers of the Jets

The Jets’ front office isn’t going to rush to sign Fitzpatrick because Decker doesn’t show up for these workouts. It’s also doubtful that they would even if Decker skipped the mandatory stuff either. This is just another story and won’t warrant further thought until we get to the middle of June.