Ryan Fitzpatrick: How Ryan Clady Deal Impacts Jets’ Negotiations With Free Agent QB

As a quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick relies on his offensive line to keep him safe. Now, he might just have them to thank for landing a new free agent contract.

With the sudden retirement of Pro Bowl left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, as reported by Rich Cimini of ESPN, the Jets struck fast finalizing a deal for Broncos left guard, as confirmed by Adam Schefter.

Denver has agreed to trade four-time Pro-Bowl OT Ryan Clady and a 7th-round pick to the Jets for a 5th-round pick, league sources told ESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 9, 2016

And so on the same day D’Brickashaw Ferguson, announced his retirement, the Jets already have found his replacement in Ryan Clady.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 9, 2016

The terms of the deal, as also reported by Schefter, include the Jets and Broncos swapping a seventh round pick for a fifth round pick. But the main crux of it is the re-worked deal that Ryan has signed with the Jets.

As a member of the Broncos, Ryan Clady was under contract for a non-guaranteed contract of $19.5 million and two years remaining. He refused to renegotiate his contract, according to reports, which forced Denver GM John Elway’s hand. The Broncos acquired top free agent tackles Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson as a result, and immediately put Clady on the trading block.

Once New York Jets GM Mike Maccagnan learned of Ferguson’s intentions to retire, the organization turned their attention to Clady, who signed a 1-year, $6 million free agent contract with only $3 million guaranteed. If one does the math, the Jets were in salary cap hell after tagging their star defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson to franchise status, ballooning his cap hit to $15.7 million on their books.

Subsequently, there was talks that Maccagnan would ask Ferguson to take a pay cut to help with the team’s financial woes. Instead, he learned that D’brickashaw was ready to call it quits after his own play had declined, coupled with fears of later-in-life ailments brought on by seeing the movie Concussion. This immediately freed up almost $10 million in cap space. $10 million, minus the $3 million on Clady’s contract, equals the reported $7 million New York has been offering free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Turning to Denver’s end of the equation likely signals a return to the New York Jets for free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, as well. As announced by NFL reporter Mike Silver, the Broncos had contacted Fitzpatrick at the onset of NFL free agency.

While the Broncos try to close the Kaepernick trade, they’re formulating backup plans. Have been in touch with agent for Ryan Fitzpatrick.

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 10, 2016

But with Ryan’s asking price too high for his perceived value to the team, Broncos GM John Elway set his sights on disgruntled 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. As reported by SB Nation, that trade hit a snag in the $4 million dollar range this week. That’s the amount Denver and San Francisco are arguing over at the moment, with both sides wanting Colin to swallow the difference in order to make the trade official.

Kaepernick is due to be owed $11.9 million this coming year, all fully guaranteed, and the Broncos feel either the 49ers or Kaepernick should eat part of that salary. With the Clady deal going through, Denver now has an additional $9 million in cap space with which to work, which has led many to wonder if that will facilitate the Kaepernick deal.

If it does, then Ryan Fitzpatrick’s options are all but sealed. He can come back to the Jets and accept the $7 million dollar offer that’s on the table, or retire.

[Photos by Tom Szczerbowski, Harry How/Getty Images]