Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets finally came to terms on a 1 year, $12 million dollar deal yesterday, ending a contract standoff that lasted nearly 5 months. Fitzpatrick might have been pressured to sign by news of the Rams releasing Nick Foles, adding a potential candidate for the Jets to pursue. Regardless, the deal seems to be beneficial for both parties. Fitz has never been paid nearly this much in base salary, and the Jets desperately needed to sign a proven quarterback. Fitzpatrick is coming off a career season in which he led the Jets to their first winning record since 2010.
This guy just bounces from team to team and somehow finds a way to become the starter. He is the absolute king of benefitting from other's injuries. His first starting job came with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008 when Carson Palmer was forced to undergo Tommy John early in the season. The next year, Fitz took over for the Bills when starter Trent Edwards suffered a concussion in week 5. After four years starting for the Bills, Fitzpatrick signed with the Titans and emerged as the starter after Jake Locker suffered a leg injury in week 4. The next year, Fitzpatrick lost his starting job with the Texans to Ryan Mallett, but regained it within two weeks after Mallet suffered a strained pectoral. And to cap off this crazy sequence, Fitzpatrick won his most recent starting job with the New York Jets after incumbent Geno Smith was punched in the face in a locker room brawl, resulting in a fractured jaw.
Holy crap. Fitzpatrick is the master of good fortune. Whoever's the starter on this guy's next team better watch out. I'm glad Fitzpatrick has been so fortunate, as I love watching such an unorthodox quarterback compete. He has a Harvard degree and wears his wedding ring every game. Just look at this guy...
What's not to love? Look for Fitzpatrick to continue last year's success and lead the Jet's to their second straight winning season.
-Beats