The tarnished image of Ryan Fitzpatrick

The New York Jets are still having contract negotiations with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick that continue to go nowhere. As it continues, his image continues to tarnish.

After putting up a stellar season for the New York Jets last season, many expected quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to return back to the team without any issues. Unfortunately at the end of the day, it’s all about business as so far, both sides are far apart when it comes to the financial part of the contract that’s currently on the table.

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As per Austin Knoblauch of NFL.com, the Jets initially offered Fitzpatrick a three-year deal back in March that is $24M but can go up as much as $36M with incentives. Not only would Fitzpatrick get $12M in 2016 but if he plays as well as he did last season, he would be able to earn a whole lot more towards the final years of this contract.

The latest is that apparently, Fitzpatrick countered the offer by the Jets by saying he would prefer to do a one-year deal for $12M. Luckily, the Jets did the right thing and refused such a deal because honestly, that would make absolutely no sense.

Fitzpatrick at best is a bridge-gap quarterback for at least the next year or two. The Jets need him as much as he needs them since not only would he be able to continue the momentum he created last season, but would continue to groom their young quarterbacks on the roster for the future.

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The offer the Jets presented to Fitzpatrick was fair considering that he’s never had a season as good as 2015 and it was because of the system built around him.

From offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, major offensive weapons and a stout defense, Fitzpatrick thrived and well, the same results could have been replicated with quarterback Geno Smith.

The fact that Fitzpatrick is choosing money and refusing to accept reality that he was a product of the system is getting to the point where his image is now being tarnished.

Last season, Fitzpatrick won the hearts of fans everywhere for his toughness, quarterback play and ability to win football games. Nobody ever thought that contract negotiations would go like this and well, the way Fitzpatrick has been acting and refusing to come back due to the amount of money he will overall earn is making fans start to turn on him.

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What was once considering “Fitzmagic” is now turning into “Fitzhatred” since he is showing his arrogance in feeling offended by the only offer he got this offseason. Even if he does decide to come back, his image will be tarnished for playing all these games with the Jets due to money, which isn’t everything in the grand scheme of things. Either way, the longer this all continues, his image continues to be tarnished since he’s turning his back on a team that is on the verge of being a playoff contender.