How can the Jets create room for Ryan Fitzpatrick?

The New York Jets are hoping that some kind of deal can come to fruition with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and his return for 2016.

It’s quite obvious that the New York Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick both want a return. The two sides have been in touch with each other for months and new reports are coming out by the hour. The one problem is money, the deal-breaker for practically every NFL contract nowadays (no pun intended).

‘Fitz’ had a career year in 2015 throwing for 3,905 yards to go along with 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, so there’s no doubt he wants a big deal. On the other hand, general manager Mike Maccagnan refuses to budge largely due in part to the fourth quarter of the season finale in Buffalo.

In that quarter, the Harvard graduate tossed three interceptions as Gang Green’s offense melted down and threw away a playoff berth. According to multiple reports, Fitzpatrick is asking for a one-year deal worth $12M in which all is guaranteed. From our understanding, the Jets have a three-year offer on the table worth up to $36M when you include incentives.

The length and guaranteed money isn’t what he’s looking for in that offer, but at least the two sides are getting warmer. With that being said, New York needs to start thinking about how they can create space for the veteran if the time comes.

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The first thing the Jets should do is ask a number of players who might be making more than they deserve to take a pay cut.

The team has a mere $3.1M in cap space per Over The Cap, therefore you’d assume another $10M has to be cleared.

First-round pick linebacker Darron Lee has yet to be signed which could perhaps even raise that number to $11M or more.

Nonetheless, restructuring contracts should be the first thing on Maccagnan’s to-do list if Fitzpatrick agrees to come back.

Three players who could potentially be open to a restructure are Eric Decker, Brandon Marshall, and Nick Mangold. Each of them have cap numbers over $8M and want their starting quarterback under center in 2016. If all goes well, the Jets could pull about $7M combined between the three. They received almost $2.5M from reworking James Carpenter‘s contract, so $7M amongst three players with bigger cap numbers seems reasonable. New York has the freedom to do this as well, thanks to the room they’re due to have in 2017.

If they fail to get anything from Decker, Marshall or Mangold, it could become a bit tricky to clear space without cutting anyone. Nick Folk, Marcus Gilchrist, Buster Skrine and even Darrelle Revis would have to be the next names on the list for Maccagnan to ask. Folk has a cap number of $3.3M, Gilchrist’s is $5.6M, Skrine $7.7M and Revis $17M.

Revis probably won’t bite due to the fact that he’s all about the money as we’ve seen in several instances. The other three might be willing to work something out simply because their numbers are fairly high for their production, especially Skrine. It isn’t necessarily a knock on him either, nickel corners just don’t make that kind of money.

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Overall, there’s still a hill to climb with a Fitzpatrick return. Restructuring contracts isn’t easy and neither is trimming the roster later in the summer to create additional space. If the Jets were to predominately cut players opposed to restructure, Breno Giacomini, Kenbrell Thompkins, and Geno Smith could all be on the hot seat. Those guys are meaningful contributors, although that’s the price you pay if you make cuts to gain money. It’s been a battle to get Fitzpatrick to return and unfortunately it can be another if he does.

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