INQUISITR.COM / Sports

NFL Free Agent Rumors: New York Jets Could Emerge As Top Candidate For Robert Griffin III

By Nathan Francis
Published on: 07:07 PST, Mar 11, 2016

The NFL rumors are pointing toward a big move for the New York Jets, who will be talking with Robert Griffin III and could have their sights set on him as their franchise quarterback.

The Jets hit a standstill in contract negotiations with Ryan Fitzpatrick, leading them to start testing the free agent market for other quarterbacks. On Friday, the team reportedly hosted Robert Griffin III, who is one his way out of Washington after a turbulent four years that included an NFL Rookie of the Year campaign followed by three seasons of struggling through injury and inconsistent play.

Griffin could now come cheap compared to some of the other quarterbacks on the free agent market, and there are as many as a half-dozen teams reportedly interested in him.

Add to that one more. The Jets had not been mentioned in the rumors surrounding Robert Griffin III, at least not until this week. But NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the team is taking a hard look at the former Heisman Trophy winner.

Whether it’s sincere interest or a bit of a negotiating ploy remains to be seen, NFL.com reported.

“It’s the latest twist in the offseason QB saga for Gang Green. Fitzpatrick and the team are at a stalemate in contract talks, which has led general manager Mike Maccagnan to look at other options on the free-agent market. The team has been connected as an interested party in 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick as well.

…

“And that’s before you get into what kind of fit Griffin might be in Gotham following his rocky stay in D.C. The bottom line: Ryan Fitzpatrick remains — easily — the best fit for the team in 2016, but the Jets can’t rely on blind optimism in negotiations. Consider this a leverage play by a team that’s ready to get something done.”

There could end up being room for Ryan Fitzpatrick elsewhere. The Denver Broncos were reportedly interested and had been in touch with Fitzpatrick, who has the same agent as the departed Peyton Manning fill-in Brock Osweiler.

Where those NFL rumors shake up remains to be seen, as the Broncos traded for Mark Sanchez on Friday. It’s not clear if the Broncos have plans to make Sanchez their starter, but with Sanchez and Fitzpatrick, they would have two journeymen, mid-level quarterbacks who have likely seen their best days in the past.

Broncos vice president John Elway has called the Sanchez trade the first step in the team’s rebuilding process after the retirement of Peyton Manning and the loss of Brock Osweiler, seeming to imply that there will be more action.

Mike Sessler of NFL.com believes that Fitzpatrick is still very much in play for the Broncos, especially if they cannot snag Colin Kaepernick.

“If Kaepernick isn’t the answer, look for Denver to shift to names like Ryan Fitzpatrick and even Brian Hoyer. Depending on how this shakes out, Sanchez — entering his eighth season — has a shot to see meaningful snaps in 2016,” he wrote. “Still, we can’t help but wonder if Sanchez might also be dangled as trade bait for Kelly and the Niners in a subsequent deal to land Kaepernick.”

There are other NFL rumors that the New York Jets could target Colin Kaepernick if they were to lose out on Robert Griffin III and lose Ryan Fitzpatrick to free agency. Either way, it seems the team’s answer at quarterback will come through free agency, as they don’t have a draft pick that could garner a starting quarterback and Geno Smith’s tenure appears to be over.

[Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images]

Share this article: NFL Free Agent Rumors: New York Jets Could Emerge As Top Candidate For Robert Griffin III
robert griffin III New York Jets
More from Inquisitr