NEW YORK — The New York Jets have made an offer that Ryan Fitzpatrick — so far — has refused.
A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday night that the Jets made a three-year offer to the quarterback in March that includes $12 million guaranteed in the first year.
That has remained on the table for Fitzpatrick, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither side is commenting publicly on the negotiations.
The New York Post first reported the terms of the offer, which is higher than the previously reported amounts that were closer to $7 million per year. However, total guarantees and contract structure of the Jets’ standing offer are uncertain.
Jimmy Sexton, Fitzpatrick’s agent, didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Fitzpatrick and the Jets have been locked in a contract stalemate all offseason. The 33-year-old quarterback is a free agent and coming off a season in which he threw a Jets-record 31 touchdown passes and led New York within a victory of the playoffs.
Both the Jets and Fitzpatrick have said they would like a reunion, but have unable to agree on a deal. Coach Todd Bowles has also said that Fitzpatrick would assume the starting job again when, and if, he returns.
“You’re hopeful, I don’t know about confident,” Bowles said Wednesday. “A lot of things can happen in football. Nothing surprises you, but they’re working on it and hopefully things work out.”
Geno Smith has been working with the starting offense during organized team activities, and would likely be under center in Week 1 if Fitzpatrick doesn’t return. The Jets also have Bryce Petty, a fourth-rounder last year, and Christian Hackenberg, a second-rounder this year.
Fitzpatrick was acquired by the Jets last offseason from Houston to serve as a backup to Smith. But after Smith’s jaw was broken in training camp by then-teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali, Fitzpatrick stepped in and never relinquished the starting job — even playing through a torn thumb ligament.
He threw for a career-best 3,905 yards while topping Vinny Testaverde’s franchise mark for TDs. But with the first postseason spot of his career on the line in the regular-season finale at Buffalo, Fitzpatrick struggled while throwing interceptions on each of New York’s final three drives in a 22-17 loss.
Fitzpatrick has apparently been looking for something close to the $18 million average that both Philadelphia’s Sam Bradford and Houston’s Brock Osweiler got. But a strong market for Fitzpatrick never developed during free agency as age, previous performance and the fact he has never played in the postseason might have all played roles.
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