Ryan Fitzpatrick really, really, really wants a better deal.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday, citing a source, that Fitzpatrick has told people he would “rather not play football” than play for the New York Jets at their current contract offer.
According to Schefter, the Jets haven’t budged from their initial offer, which reportedly is in the range of $7 million to $8 million per season. Fitzpatrick, who guided the Jets to a 10-6 record last season, reportedly is looking for twice that amount annually.
Fitzpatrick, a seventh-round draft pick out of Harvard in 2005, has played for six teams in his 11-year NFL career. He threw for a career-high 3,905 yards and 31 touchdowns last season, his first with the Jets.
The 2015 campaign ended in disappointment for Fitzpatrick, as the Jets lost their season finale to the Buffalo Bills and missed the playoffs. The 33-year-old never has made the postseason despite bouncing around and appearing in 113 regular-season games (105 starts).
Fitzpatrick and the Jets have been engaged in a stalemate since February, according to Schefter. New York currently has Geno Smith and Bryce Petty on its quarterback depth chart, though it’s certainly possible the Jets could select a quarterback in this week’s NFL draft.
Thumbnail photo via Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports Images
