The Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick spent the entire offseason at an impasse about a contract that would bring Fitzpatrick back to the team for a second season.
They agreed to a deal on the eve of training camp, but the time it took to find a deal that worked for both sides turned out to be much longer than the time Fitzpatrick remained in the Jets’ starting lineup. Fitzpatrick has been benched in favor of Geno Smith after a 1-5 start that saw him throw 11 interceptions.
On Wednesday, Fitzpatrick shared his reaction to coach Todd Bowles’ decision and, to no surprise, it wasn’t sunshines and unicorns.
“I don’t like it. I’m disappointed,” Fitzpatrick said, via the New York Daily News. “I’m disappointed that we’re making the change, but disappointed in my play this year, as well. So the competitor in me really wants to be out there. The guy that was the leader of this team last year and the beginning of this year wants to be out there. But it’s the decision that Todd made. And I’ve got to respect his decision. But I don’t have to like it.”
Fitzpatrick doesn’t have to like it, but his disappointment in his play should make it a lot easier to understand why the Jets have the desire to see someone else playing quarterback even if its a guy they watched all spring before deciding they had to have Fitzpatrick back under center.
Bowles said Wednesday that it was possible that Fitzpatrick could return to the lineup, but the presence of Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg on the roster gives the Jets players they need to evaluate as they make plans for their next search for a starting quarterback.