Ryan Fitzpatrick will play elsewhere in 2016

The New York Jets will move on from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick as he will end up playing elsewhere this upcoming season.

In what we all thought would be a surefire move once the offseason began, has turned into stalemated talks for months. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is still not a Jet, and the front office hasn’t budged from their offer – whatever that price may be. The fan in me wants him back, but to be bold: Fitzpatrick will be playing for another team in 2016.

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For months now, all that has been reported are back and forth rumblings of either Fitzpatrick not willing to accept the Jets’ offer, and the team not budging to meet his asking price. We’ve seen Fitzpatrick attend a New York Rangers playoff game with Nick Mangold, Eric Decker, and Bryce Petty but that still wasn’t enough to have him see what he’s missing out on.

Teammates like Brandon Marshall, and most recently Darrelle Revis, in an article written by Darin Gantt of NBC Sports have said “we want to see him walk in this locker room.”  It’s no secret the players want him back – but at what cost to the team, Todd Bowles and his staff? With organized team activities over, mini-camp as well with training camp looming, Geno Smith‘s stock is rising while Fitzmagic’s act is getting stale.

Last season before Geno was shelved with a broken jaw, he was the to-be starter for Week 1. And while Fitzpatrick wound up taking over for good, he was originally traded for with intention to be a backup. Now, it’s rather premature to judge Smith off of his few practices so far this year, but when you have Bowles giving him so much praise, one can tell he’s headed in the right direction.

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It’s hard not to get a sense of comfort if he is going to be the Jets’ starting quarterback.

The offense in front of him is also ‘light years ahead’ of the rather abysmal cast he had in 2014.

The only damaging piece left to Smith’s progression is the constant talk of Fitzpatrick.

No doubt this season will likely be make or break for Smith, but it also has potential to be a breakout year for him thanks to the top talent around him.

To solidify Fitzpatrick playing elsewhere in 2016, it also has to have backing in other areas. The contract saga will drag out through training camp, where Smith will excel. We may even see Fitzpatrick team-less into the pre-season.

At that point, the Jets will openly announce they have moved on. From there, Fitzpatrick will find himself on his couch every Sunday, until a team comes calling with a quarterback injury. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys with Tony Romo, Cleveland Browns with RGIII, or get this – Rex Ryan’s Buffalo Bills with Tyrod Taylor. And here’s the kicker: Fitzpatrick will spitefully jump on the first offer, no matter the price.

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At this point in time, the Jets and Fitzpatrick are still ‘married’ to one another. Does anyone want the relationship to end? No. However, there’s always a moment where realistic expectations have to be met, and if this dispute continues to surface, the Jets will have no choice but to move on, yet feel comfortable doing so.

What do you think happens? Sound off in the comments below!