The New York Jets took a huge step forward under first-year head coach Todd Bowles finishing with a 10-6 record last season, and they are looking to improve in his second season in New York. While Bowles was clearly a huge factor in the Jets' immediate turn around last season, the addition of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick clearly played a major role, as he posted the best season of his NFL career in New York.
Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns last season and has been an adamant supporter of Jets re-signing Fitzpatrick this offseason. The Jets star receiver has been at the center of headlines this past week for both good and bad reasons, as he received a humanitarian award and was also in a federal court room for a civil trial.
The Jets receiver once again made it known that he wants Fitzpatrick back with the Jets in 2016. "He better be," Marshall said when asked about Fitzpatrick playing for the Jets next season. The two had a strong chemistry in their first season together in New York, as Marshall recorded 109 receptions for 1,502 yards and scored career-high 14 touchdowns. Marshall reportedly didn't sound too worried about his quarterback returning in 2016 and said that he had recently talked with Bowles about the quarterback situation.
"I just talked to Coach, and Coach said we'll be OK, so I assume we'll be OK," Marshall said. While the Jets receiver likely feels reassured from his head coach, Fitzpatrick and the Jets are reportedly still far apart in contract negotiations, and communication between the two sides has been limited.
The Jets quarterback is considered one of the best free agents on the open market, and he is clearly the best quarterback still available. The veteran quarterback likely knows that this is the last large contract that he will sign in his NFL career at 33 years old, and he is looking to capitalize after finishing the best season of his NFL career. Fitzpatrick finished the 2015 season with career-highs in both yards (3,905) and touchdowns (31), and he showed strong improvement throughout the year in the Jets offensive system. The Jets know that Fitzpatrick is not a long-term solution for the quarterback position, but they should look to re-sign him soon, as he will give them their best chance next season.
