5 reasons to move on from Ryan Fitzpatrick

Oct 25, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) after a touchdown during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The ongoing saga between the New York Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has continued for months now. It’s time to move on from him once and for all.

Make no mistake about it, time is of the essence and patience is wearing thin when it comes to the contract negotiations between the New York Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. It’s at the point where the organization and fans all across the football world are anxiously awaiting a decision one way or the other.

must read: The tarnished image of Ryan Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick feels the Jets initial contract offer of a three-year deal with $12M guaranteed in his first season that is filled with incentives that could make it effectively worth $36M in its entirety is too low for his services.

The Jets on the other hand feel their offer is justified based on not only his stellar season last year but for the fact that he’s a bridge-gap quarterback in the grand scheme of things. They need him as much as he needs them since he thrived under a system built around his strengths in addition to having a solid supporting cast.

Well, enough is enough already. Without further ado, here are the top five reasons why it’s time the Jets moved on from Fitzpatrick once and for all.

Next: 5. Greed

5. Greed

At the end of the day, it all comes down to money. It’s ironic to say the least since in his entire NFL career, Fitzpatrick’s net worth as per The Richest is about $24M altogether from the various contracts he’s signed throughout the years with different teams.

As a seventh round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, he’s made more money than those of that draft status will ever see in their lives. He’s never even been to the NFL Playoffs a single time but feels he’s worth being paid as if he made it every year he was under center.

The offer the Jets gave Fitzpatrick is more than fair considering his past and how he isn’t consistent at all. Fitzpatrick tends to have a steep decline the moment he gets a new contract bases on the previous successes of the year before.

Greed is an ugly monster that when it matters most, can turn beloved figures like Fitzpatrick into someone that as of late, fans want nothing to do with anymore since it’s clear, he’d rather selfishly have a huge payday over being part of a team ready to make a serious run in the NFL Playoffs.

Next: 4. The Jets made Fitzpatrick great

Dec 19, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) hands off to running back Chris Ivory (33) during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

4. The Jets made Fitzpatrick great

Last year, general manager Mike Maccagnan had plenty of money to spend in free agency. He also had a phenomenal 2015 NFL Draft that got rave reviews all across the board.

The Jets made sure to add plenty of offensive weapons to become a contender again. When you have a solid offensive line, a brutal rushing attack led by running back Chris Ivory and two top notch wide receivers in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, the Jets made Fitzpatrick absolutely shine with this talented group.

Throw in the fact that the offensive playbook created by offensive coordinator Chan Gailey was specifically tailored to Fitzpatrick’s strengths and it’s not hard to see why it was a system built around him for major success. Fitzpatrick always thrived under Gailey, dating back to their time together back in Buffalo, which before he signed with the Jets, was one of the best seasons of his career.

Fitzpatrick was created from the system he inherited as was not the only reason why the Jets were so successful. They posted a 10-6 final record for 2015 and well, made him look great, not the other way around.

Next: 3. Geno Smith will be just fine under center

May 25, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) and New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) during OTA at Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

3. Geno Smith will be just fine under center

Before his locker room altercation in 2015, quarterback Geno Smith was having a much better training camp than Fitzpatrick and even won the starting job.

Smith was punched in the face over a financial dispute with a teammate and not only lost his starting spot but missed a significant amount of time in the regular season.

By default, Fitzpatrick was deemed the next starting quarterback and never looked back. He delivered some incredible results which made many analysts and fans wonder if Smith could have replicated the same or even exceeded expectations.

It’s no secret that Smith never had the talented supported cast around him ever in his young career. If it wasn’t for that broken jaw injury, Smith might have surprised the football world by posting the same, if not better numbers with the Jets. As he prepares to start this upcoming season, the Jets will be just fine with Smith under center since he has a better arm, has matured into a leader and is ready to finally silence his critics.

Next: 2. Fitzpatrick crumbles in the clutch

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) tries a shovel pass during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 22 to 17. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

2. Fitzpatrick crumbles in the clutch

In his entire career, Fitzpatrick has historically crumbled when it comes to delivering in the clutch. The Jets had a golden opportunity heading into their season finale against the Buffalo Bills last season.

All the Jets had to do was “win and get in” as all the cards were in their favor to punch their ticket into the postseason with a win. Not only did Fitzpatrick put up a terrible performance, he totaled three interceptions with everything on the line.

Combine that with the fact he sustained a thumb injury mid-way through the season since he refused to slide when scrambling out the pocket and got hurt, goes to show for all the success he’s had, he’s had a few mishaps. Fitzpatrick is demanding all this money yet when it matters most, has yet to deliver.

The Jets would be wise to stick with Smith and see what he can do as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. With all the tools needed to succeed, Smith should be able to deliver and unlike Fitzpatrick, be able to perform better to win games in clutch situations.

Next: 1. Fitzpatrick is not worth more money

Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) is tackled by New York Giants defensive end Damontre Moore (98) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

1. Fitzpatrick is not worth more money

The Jets ultimately were the only team to even offer Fitzpatrick a contract this offseason. No other team in free agency offered him such a deal as they should not give him a penny more in acquiring his services.

He’s not worth paying more for since he’s been given a fair offer for effectively just another year of holding down the fort for the Jets as they develop all the young quarterbacks around him. He’s a journeyman quarterback that has never had the kind of success ever in his career until he was acquired by the Jets.

It’s a shame that these contract negotiations have gone south as there was hope it would be an easy deal to make so everyone can focus on preparing the team for an even bigger season in 2016.

must read: How can the Jets create room for Ryan Fitzpatrick?

In the end, Fitzpatrick got an offer, wants more money and well, it’s time the Jets moved on from him since it’s apparent he feels offended by their contract. The Jets will be just fine without him as they’ll do well with Smith under center led by a potent rushing attack and a stout defense heading into the regular season.