The Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick are reportedly are “nowhere close to an agreement.” There’s now a clear opening for an agreement to never happen.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Fitzpatrick is ripe to be plucked away by another team.
Other suitors could be concerned that any interest expressed in Fitzpatrick would be used as leverage with the Jets. The reality, according to the source, is that interest expressed in Fitzpatrick could quickly lead to a deal.
The Jets and Fitzpatrick are so far apart that the pending offer is being regarded as “backup money.” And it could mean that the Jets are hoping to have Fitzpatrick as a bird in the hand as they continue to look for someone who could take over the job, sooner than later.
In playing hardball with Fitzpatrick, the Jets apparently believe that he won’t leave. He’s now ready to do it. The only question is whether someone else will open the door for him.
The door could be in Denver, where the current starting quarterback is Trevor Siemian.