New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan is confident that the team will be able to re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick this offseason, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.
"We're going to talk to Ryan's people here in the very near future," said Maccagnan, via WFAN radio's Boomer and Carton Show. "We have time obviously before free agency, and we really would like to get Ryan back in the fold. (Head coach) Todd (Bowles) has said that. Obviously, myself and the rest of the organization feel very strongly about this."
The Jets quarterback had a career season in New York, with career highs both in passing yards and touchdowns. Fitzpatrick had 3,905 passing yards and 31 touchdowns in his first season in New York, and he almost led the Jets to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. The Jets quarterback struggled in the regular season finale against the Buffalo Bills and threw two touchdowns to three interceptions in a loss that knocked the Jets out of postseason contention.
The Jets have exclusive negotiation rights with Fitzpatrick until March 9 and will try to lock him up before then, as multiple teams could be interested in the 33-year-old quarterback, according to Cimini. While Fitzpatrick is not the long-term solution in New York, he could serve as a bridge quarterback until the Jets figure out a long-term solution for their most crucial position.
The Jets selected quarterback Bryce Petty in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and whether he can turn into a viable option for the Jets remains to be seen. The Jets also used a second round pick on quarterback Geno Smith back in 2013, but his future in New York is murky at best, according to Cimini.
The Jets have a ton of player personnel transactions they have to decide this offseason, and Fitzpatrick and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson are priorities for the Jets front office. The Jets finished the 2015 regular season with a 10-6 record, and first year head coach Todd Bowles will only look for his team to improve in 2016.
