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I find this report a little perplexing and perhaps not dealing with the true reality of the situation. Let’s take a look . . .
One of the hottest news stories in the NFL right now is the Ryan Fitzpatrick contract battle with the Jets. Part of this is because it involves an NFL starting quarterback. Part of this is it’s a slow time for NFL news.
So the NFL insiders need to come up with stuff on this ongoing saga. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport had some news on Fitzpatrick earlier this week.
“Next Tuesday, the Jets begin OTAs. From what I’m being told, that is the first legitimate deadline for when both sides would like a deal to be done if Fitzpatrick is going to remain the starting quarterback of the Jets. Meanwhile, veterans such as Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall—they just want their quarterback back. While the Jets have held firm on their initial offer, Fitzpatrick wants to get a little more money out of the organization where he saw so much success last year. As the days creep toward Tuesday, maybe—just maybe—we’ll have an answer.”
I don’t know about this.
Yes, the Jets would love to have their quarterback in the fold for the beginning of OTAs, but I really don’t view this as a deadline that has any meat to it.
Jets GM Mike Maccagnan said after the draft, “when it becomes mandatory you’d like to have all your guys in.”
OTAs aren’t mandatory.
So while Maccagnan would love to have the QB in for all the OTAs, which take place the next three weeks, Fitzpatrick not being there won’t be a deal-breaker.
Since he said that, “when it becomes mandatory you’d like to have all your guys in,” the first significant deadline would be June 14. The Jets mandatory veteran minicamp is June 14-16.
But, it needs to be pointed out, that Fitzpatrick wouldn’t be violating any rules by missing the mandatory minicamp, because he’s not under the contract. Players under contract that miss mandatory minicamp are subject to fines. Fitzpatrick wouldn’t be fined if he’s not at the veteran minicamp.
But Maccagnan made it clear with that statement he really wants his QB at that veteran minicamp.
The veteran minicamp is the last time the team is together before training camp starts. From a psychological standpoint, it would be good for the Jets as a team to have their likely starting QB in the fold for that event.
So that is the date to look at, June 14.
However, I don’t think they will cut bait even at that point, if he’s not signed.
“Right now, it’s a business and they’re so far off in dollar amounts but Ryan wants to be back, they want Ryan back. Something is going to happen,” Eric Decker said on the NFL Network. “It might be before training camp, the day or two before, but I believe that he’ll be back on the team come this fall.”
I agree. I think he will be the QB, but it could come down to right before training camp.
May 20, 2016
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