NFL Rumors: Ryan Fitzpatrick To Sign With Patriots As Tom Brady Suspension Looms?
The Ryan Fitzpatrick contract saga took an interesting twist this week, and it had nothing to do with the New York Jets.
As speculated on the Hahn and Humpty show on 98.7 ESPN Radio Wednesday, the possibility is there that Bill Belichick and the hated New England Patriots might make a run at Fitzpatrick, thanks to a recent ruling in the Tom Brady “Deflategate” appeal.
According to ESPN, Brady had his appeal denied by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court making it more and more likely that Brady will ultimately serve his four-game suspension originally handed down by Commissioner Roger Goodell.
“We are disappointed with the decision denying a rehearing, as there were clear violations of our collective bargaining agreement by the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell,” the NFLPA released in a statement. “Despite today’s result, the track record of this League office when it comes to matters of player discipline is bad for our business and bad for our game. We have a broken system that must be fixed.”
The statement also noted that they would “review all of our options carefully on behalf of Tom Brady and all NFL players.” However, as many analysts have said, those options are limited and likely to maintain the original ruling on behalf of the league.
So as of now, the Patriots will turn to third year pro Jimmy Garoppolo to steer the Belichick-coached AFC juggernaut as they await Brady’s return. Unless Bill decides to bring in a veteran quarterback instead to ensure stability and prevent a disastrous start.
Enter Ryan Fitzpatrick.
And while nothing has officially surfaced that links the free agent quarterback to the Patriots – yet – the NY Post thinks it would be the ultimate Belichick-ian move.
“For Belichick, it would be an ultimate troll move toward the Jets, the franchise he has despised for 15 years. If he does not have faith in Garoppolo or in rookie Jacoby Brissett, he might feel the need to add a veteran. Fitzpatrick is the best veteran quarterback available.”
Writer Brian Costello continued, noting that from Fitzpatrick’s side of the coin, should the negotiations continue to stall, he might also want to stick it to the Jets.
“It also would be a great way to spite the Jets if there are bad feelings after this contract standoff. Can you imagine the attention Fitzpatrick bolting for the Jets’ biggest rival would get? The back page of The Post would scream ‘Fitz Pats Trick.'”
Ryan Fitzpatrick took over as quarterback for the NY Jets in training camp last year when presumptive starter Geno Smith took a shot to the jaw from IK Enkempali in a locker room brawl that left Smith out for an extended amount of time. Fitzpatrick seized on the opportunity leading the Jets to a 10-6 record, narrowly missing the playoffs, while also breaking several team records in the process.
It was assumed that following his performance – 31 TDs and almost 4,000 yards passing – the NY Jets would be eager to lock him up. But GM Mike Maccagnan has reportedly stuck to his guns and not offered Fitzpatrick the kind of deal he’s looking for.
In the wake of the Sam Bradford and Brock Osweiler contracts, Ryan’s agents were said to be looking in the neighborhood of $14 million a year. The Jets are offering $12 million, but only for the first year. After that, Fitzpatrick would only get $6 million a year guaranteed with the rest made up for with performance incentives.
But with the Jets drafting Penn St. QB Christian Hackenberg in the second round, the assumption is Fitzpatrick would ultimately turn the team over to him and never collect that bonus.
What do you think? Does Ryan Fitzpatrick to the Patriots make sense or will he ultimately land back with the NY Jets?
[Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images]
