While admitting he was “surprised” the New York Jets drafted Christian Hackenberg, receiver Eric Decker proclaimed current free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick to be the “the right man” for the Jets’ quarterback job in 2016.
“Just because of the camaraderie I built and the relationship we had last year, and what we can build upon, I think he definitely is the right man for the type of team we have now,” Decker said, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.
Under Fitzpatrick’s direction in 2015, the Jets won 10 games and nearly made the postseason. Fitzpatrick threw a career-high 31 touchdowns, but he’s spent his offseason in a contract squabble with the Jets.
Decker, who caught 12 touchdowns from Fitzpatrick last season, appears to have little interest in starting over at quarterback with a rookie.
“It’s a team that’s ready to win now, and we need someone with a veteran presence at the quarterback position. My job is to catch the ball, but obviously, I want what’s best for the team — and that relationship I want as well.”
The Jets current quarterback depth chart includes Hackenberg, Geno Smith and Bryce Petty, all draft picks of the franchise. The three have combined to throw all of 27 career touchdowns (all from Smith).
According to Cimini, the Jets and Fitzpatrick remain “far apart” in contract negotiations. The drafting of Hackenberg in the second round likely added more leverage for New York against the journeyman quarterback. However, if the season started today, Smith—who lost his job to Fitzpatrick after getting injured during the preseason—would be the first-team quarterback.
Luckily for the Jets, the start of training camp is still a few months away. If Decker gets his way, New York will be going into the late summer months with Fitzpatrick re-signed and re-inserted back at the top of the depth chart.
