Ryan Fitzpatrick has been without a job for six months, and that means he’s been out of the context he’s most comfortable in.
The once-and-future Jets quarterback told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News he’s relieved to be back and get to work.
“Oh my gosh… it’s been a long six months for sure,” Fitzpatrick said. “The biggest feeling was relief. Just relief to have it over and done with. And then when I was driving in [Wednesday night to the team facility] and walking up to the team meeting, it was like the first day of school. I was just all excited to see everybody and to be back in the building. Because through the entire offseason program, I wasn’t allowed to be there.
“It was such a weird feeling. I was 10 minutes away just sitting at home getting calls and texts every day. After every practice, talking with the guys and not being allowed in the building to participate and compete with them. That made it an awfully long offseason for me. Now I’m ready to get to work.”
Fitzpatrick said — as everyone believed — that he always thought a deal would get done. He didn’t anticipate it taking this long, but remained positive through a stretch when Jets offers were being leaked.
“Unfortunately, we had to go through that long process to get to the end result,” he said. “But I didn’t have any doubts that at some point it would work itself out. . . . Everybody’s trying to get a leg up on the bargaining table with negotiations. I thought for the most part it was good that it stayed behind closed doors.
“There was obviously that one period where they released some of the numbers on the contract. Then all the numbers came out. There was such a he said-she said back-and-forth going on. I didn’t really love that part of it. Like I said, I’m ready to go and get to work and put it all behind us. And I’m glad that it’s over.”
The 34-year-old quarterback said he never considered retirement, and feels like he’s still getting better. After a productive season and 10 wins, he’s hoping to build on what the Jets did last year.
And now that he’s finally under contract, he can get back to what he enjoys most.