NFL Rumors: New York Jets Likely To Re-Sign Ryan Fitzpatrick, Paxton Lynch Remains A Draft Target

With the 2016 NFL draft a few weeks away, rumors are swirling around the New York Jets and who they are going to select with pick No. 20. Since quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s situation is still unresolved, many analysts believe that the Jets will target a quarterback in the first round. While there is still a chance that the Jets draft a quarterback at pick No. 20, the latest rumors are saying that the team is eventually going to re-sign Fitzpatrick.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the Jets have been recently connected to Robert Griffin III and Mike Glennon to replace Fitzpatrick. With Griffin now a member of the Cleveland Browns, that scenario is not going to happen. While there is still a chance that Glennon could be traded to the Jets, it is becoming more unlikely as the days go by. Even though Griffin and Glennon have more upsides than Fitzpatrick, the team apparently wants him back.

Sources: Jets ask D’Brickashaw to take pay cut to free up $$ to sign Fitzpatrick. Details: https://t.co/OI2sYVRY5P pic.twitter.com/hLLyhwSSEl

— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaSports) April 7, 2016

At 33-years-old, Fitzpatrick has been nothing more than a journeyman throughout his career. Regardless, he led the Jets to a 10-6 record last season, and the team just barely missed the playoffs in the tough AFC. Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall has been extremely vocal about wanting Fitzpatrick back with the team, and other players apparently share his sentiment.

As the New York Daily News reports, Marshall may just get his wish.

“The Jets hope that D’Brickashaw Ferguson can do them a solid to bring back Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Daily News has learned that the team has asked the three-time Pro Bowl left tackle to take a significant pay cut to free up money to help re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick. Ferguson, who has never missed a snap due to injury in his 10-year career, is scheduled to count $14.1 million against the 2016 salary cap, but the organization would like cap relief for plenty of reasons, including increasing their financial flexibility to get back their starting quarterback, according to sources. In fact, the brain trust has made it clear to Ferguson that a pay reduction would help the team bring back Fitzpatrick, who has been at an impasse with the clubfor more than a month after receiving a low-ball offer.”

While taking a pay reduction is a noble cause, the NFL is a business. With the increase in knowledge regarding playing football and potentially suffering from brain damage, many players are choosing to retire early. The majority of NFL players are looking to maximize the amount of money that they can make and get out while they are still fairly healthy. As ESPN reports, Ferguson will not have to make the tough decision on whether to take a pay cut. He has decided to retire at 32-years-old, and the Jets will gain $9 million in salary cap room.

Brandon Marshall didn’t talk about his court case, but said Ryan Fitzpatrick “better be” back with Jets https://t.co/iil2GWHIwz

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 6, 2016

With Ferguson off the books, it should only be a matter of time before Fitzpatrick and the Jets agree to a deal. While Fitzpatrick was reportedly asking for a big number a few months ago, the odds are that he can agree to a reasonable figure with the team.

As previously reported by Inquisitr, numerous mock drafts recently had the Jets drafting Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch. The fact that the Jets are likely going to re-sign Fitzpatrick does not mean that Lynch is off the table. While Lynch has the physical tools to become a competent NFL starting quarterback, he is not ready to play his rookie season.

If the Jets do decide to draft Lynch, they could sit him behind Fitzpatrick for a year or two in order to learn the offense and ease into becoming an NFL player. Since Lynch is viewed in the tier below Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, it may take a little more time for him to reach his true potential.

With D’Brickashaw Ferguson retiring, the New York Jets should now have enough cap space to re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

[Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images]