Fitzpatrick and Jets on good terms

ESPN and NFL Network first reported terms of the deal.

After a contract standoff that lasted the entire National Football League offseason, Ryan Fitzpatrick is expected to be on the practice field with the Jets on Thursday. I wanted something that was fair and reasonable.

“But you’ve just got to kind of play the cards that you’re dealt, control what you can control and continue to get better”.

Fitzpatrick was acquired by the Jets last offseason from Houston to serve as a backup to Smith. Then came a sucker-punch to Geno Smith’s jaw and Bowles had his hands full with team conflict even before his first regular season began.

Mangold reiterated that he has no control over the contract situation with Fitzpatrick and is focused now only on who is actually in camp.

While waiting for Fitzpatrick, the Jets also explored other options, including bringing in Robert Griffin III, who later signed with Cleveland, and Brian Hoyer, who signed with Chicago. “So, it was not like one of those shocking things”. It’s good to know early so we can adjust in camp going forward. He stayed healthy, appearing in 16 of the team’s games, and his performance could not of been much better.

“Woody [Johnson, the Jets’ owner] completely shut him out”.

“I’ve improved as a quarterback and I believe in the guys around me”, he said. “The way that you handle all of this says something about yourself and your character”. I didn’t really love that part of it. Like I said, I’m ready to go and get to work and put it all behind us.

Smith has struggled mightily in his first few seasons as a pro, recording 35 total interceptions and just 27 touchdowns in 31 career games.

Smith and Robinson were not surprises to start camp on the active/PUP list.

“As I walked in, I told Coach Bowles, ‘Sorry I’m late, ‘” Fitzpatrick said, adding many of his teammates were literally shocked to see him.

I wouldn’t take him as my #1 starter, but Fitzpatrick could be a great addition to your team as a #2, especially if you can pair him with Tom Brady.

What many expected to be a quick decision, by both sides, to reach a deal turned instead into months of posturing before finally reaching an agreement beneficial for both sides.

Brandon Marshall, the veteran Jets receiver, was the one who confirmed the development with an Instagram post which shows Fitzpatrick in the background with his long time teammates. “Like I’ve said before, when this kid gets his opportunity, he’s not going to look back”.