The New York Jets reportedly are eying Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, after passing on former Cleveland Browns signal caller Brian Hoyer. Marc Sessler of NFL.com reported New York likes Fitzpatrick because the veteran is a cheap option and is familiar with Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey.
"With the Texans planning to sign both Ryan Mallett and former Browns passer Brian Hoyer, Fitzpatrick looms as a strong candidate for release. If (and when) that happens, Fitzpatrick would emerge as a top target for Gang Green, according to NFL Media's Albert Breer," Sessler wrote Monday. "The Jets showed interest in signing Hoyer, but Breer was told that New York -- with plenty of money to spend -- is higher on Fitzpatrick. Why? The Amish Rifle is bound to be less expensive than Hoyer and would land in Gotham with a built-in knowledge of play-caller Chan Gailey's offense."
Fitzpatrick, who played under Gailey for three seasons in Buffalo, is coming off one of his best statistical seasons as a pro. After signing a two-year deal last season with Houston, Fitzgerald played in 12 games and finished with 2,483 yards, 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions for a career-best quarterback rating of 95.3. Although he briefly lost the starting job to Mallett in November, Fitzpatrick later reclaimed it and played well before suffering a season-ending fractured tibia in December.
There isn't much of a market right now in terms of backup quarterbacks, but Fitzpatrick, whose success with Gailey in Buffalo earned him a six-year extension worth $59 million in 2011, would at least be a viable backup to the inconsistent Geno Smith.
