At the moment, the Jets’ starting quarterback is Geno Smith.
The sheer terror that creates is not enough, however, to make them overpay for Ryan Fitzpatrick.
But it’s early yet.
Jets owner Woody Johnson told a group of reporters at the owners meetings that he’d definitely like to see the team bring back Fitzpatrick, but only at the right price. Finding that right price has proved tricky, and remains the reason he’s a man without a team and they’re a team without a starter.
“The two sides have got to come up with an agreement that obviously both sides are happy with,” Johnson said, via Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. “That is what we’re working toward.”
Johnson was intent enough on not giving Fitzpatrick any more leverage (such that Smith isn’t enough) to declare him “the” priority for the rest of the offseason.
“Well, he’s ‘a’ priority. You have to fill out about 25 positions, 25 percent change,” Johnson said. “We’re focused on this and we’re also looking at the draft. There is time to pick up players, not only this period but pre-draft free agents. But after the cut-downs and all that there is always chances to improve your team.”
Fitzpatrick had another good year last year (the kind he’s generally had when working with Chan Gailey), but the Jets are hesitant to overpay the 33-year-old. And even though casting their lot with either Smith or Bryce Petty seems like a good way to step back, the Jets clearly aren’t prepared to spend an exorbitant amount on Fitzpatrick.