New York Jets Rumors: Ryan Fitzpatrick Could Be On The Way Out As Team Looks At Brian Hoyer
The New York Jets are rumored to be working on their quarterback contingency plans, bringing in veteran free-agent Brian Hoyer in what is being seen as a clear threat to Ryan Fitzpatrick’s place on the team.
Hoyer is scheduled to visit the Jets on Tuesday, multiple league sources have reported. Hoyer had been cut by the Houston Texans on Sunday, giving the Jets an option at quarterback if the contract talks with Fitzpatrick fail to progress.
Hoyer was steady for the Texans last season, throwing for 2,606 yards and 19 touchdowns with just seven interceptions in 11 games total (including nine starts). As Fox Sports noted, the Jets had pursued Hoyer in the past, which appeared to give him a leg up with the team this time around.
Hoyer became expendable to the Texans when they signed Brock Osweiler at the start of the free agency period, and now he could represent a strong backup plan for Fitzpatrick, who had a career-best season while leading the team to a 10-6 record.
The Jets are reportedly far apart from Fitzpatrick’s wishes in salary negotiations. Sources have said the Jets are offering a deal in the $8 million range, while Fitzpatrick is seeking a salary closer to the $15 million that is around standard for lower-tier starting quarterbacks.
The Jets had shopped around before this offseason, bringing in Robert Griffin III for a workout last month before he ended up signing with the Cleveland Browns.
Ryan Fitzpatrick has a pretty simple decision to make https://t.co/dSY9yc6oY7
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 19, 2016
There is still a strong movement to bring Ryan Fitzpatrick back to the New York Jets. On Monday, wide receivers Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall sent Fitzpatrick a video showing their support for his return.
“I love Fitzpatrick,” Decker said, via the Wall Street Journal. “Would love to get to work with him if he is going to be the quarterback of this team.”
The Jets' receivers want their quarterback back https://t.co/XXpWcn9PhY
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 19, 2016
“Brandon and I today were joking around,” Decker added. “We were watching tape of last year, scouting ourselves throughout this phase and just kind of talking about what we can do better. What we can correct. [We] were kind of just messing with him. Sent out a video saying we need to work on these things. Intriguing him to come back, obviously.”
For the Jets, keeping up at quarterback is imperative in a division dominated by defense. The Miami Dolphins have bolstered their defense by adding Ndamukong Suh last season and Mario Williams this offseason, the New England Patriots boast a Super Bowl quality defense, and though the Buffalo Bills have regressed a bit in Rex Ryan’s first season as head coach, they are expected to have a strong defense as well.
The Jets are also under pressure to build on last year’s success. After being picked by most to end up at the bottom of the division, the team ended up with 10 wins and missed the playoffs by one game. Fitzpatrick’s play was a major part of that, giving the Jets a potent offense to complement their already strong defense.
Though many believe the New York Jets will find a way to bring Ryan Fitzpatrick back next season as their starting quarterback, there are rumors they may not intend to keep him in the position too long. The team’s plan is reportedly to find a long-term solution for their continued quarterback woes, the New York Daily News noted, and Fitzpatrick would be a short-term fix at best. Sources said the Jets intend to bring at least one veteran in next season to compete with Geno Smith for the starting job, but they could be looking to the NFL Draft to find their long-term solution.
[Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images]
