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Time for the New York Jets to End the Madness with Ryan Fitzpatrick

By Alan Schechter

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass during the third quarter of game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. New York Jets defeat the New England Patriots 26-20 in OT. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass during the third quarter of game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. New York Jets defeat the New England Patriots 26-20 in OT. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /
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This stalemate between the New York Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick has gone on far too long.  It needs to end.

This story has been dominating the off-season for too long. What started out as something that we all assumed was going to be over quickly has turned into a stalemate that now threatens to continue into training camp. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick remains a free agent, and the story hangs over the complex at One Jets Drive.

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Well, it is time for this story to finally reach its conclusion. My continued belief is that it is in the best interests of the Jets to bring Fitzpatrick back. Either way, a decision must be made so both sides can either come together or go their separate ways. If they don’t, the Jets will suffer right from the start.

"Can Geno handle the pressure?How is the team dealing without their quarterback?Do you feel comfortable with the position the team is in with Geno rather than Ryan?"

Make no mistake, if Jets’ training camp opens with this issue still looming, these are the types of questions the New York media will pounce on. Yes, Todd Bowles said, as reported by Mike Florio in Pro Football Talk, that he was done talking about Fitzpatrick. Anyone who knows the New York media knows that Todd’s edict will not be observed. He will be peppered with questions, as will the players.

Dec 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles reacts against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles reacts against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Locker room distractions are a real thing. You will recall the distraction that Santonio Holmes was during the 2011 season. There was also a 2012 locker room that was divided about whether or not Tim Tebow should see the field more often than he did. Neither of those two versions of the Jets were very successful.

Distractions are bad, and they need to be avoided at all costs.  Wide receiver Eric Decker said it best, reported by Josh Alper in Pro Football Talk:

"“I hope something gets worked out, one way or the other, so we cannot have distractions going into training camp,” Decker said. “I think for any team to have success, you have to have some kind of direction. And, with training camp, that’s where you get the timing, that’s where  you kind of build the team and build your identity. And if it’s still in question marks and you don’t know what’s going on, you’re going to create some kind of issues that we don’t need to have.”"

Decker is 100 percent right. The time to establish team identity is at training camp. One of the biggest elements of a team’s identity comes from the quarterback. If the situation is in flux, there is absolutely no way for the team to establish their identity and prepare appropriately.

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Steve Serby of the New York Post posed a compromise between the two sides, with Fitzpatrick making $12 million in 2016, and $9 million in 2017, rather than the $6 million the Jets offered.  This would give the two sides the opportunity to save face and bring back the quarterback that many think is the best fit for this team at this time.

No matter what they decide to do, they need to do it before training camp.  The date is July 27th.  Time to make it happen.

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