For the longest time, the New York Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick could not come to an agreement on a new contract. Fitzpatrick led the Jets to just on the outskirts of the playoffs. The Jets missed the playoffs after a Week 17 loss to their rival Buffalo Bills and a Pittsburgh Steelers win over the Cleveland Browns.
The Jets and Fitzpatrick finally came to an agreement on a one-year, $12 million deal back on July 27. While the Jets can breathe for another season, they will need to think of the 2017 season as this one goes by. What happens if they can't re-sign Fitz to another deal?
The only two quarterbacks that the Jets have on their roster are Geno Smith and Bryce Petty. Geno Smith has shown that he is not the way to go. He took over the starting job back in 2013. He threw for 12 touchdowns and 21 interceptions that season. In 2014, things didn't get much better. Smith threw for 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Bryce Petty, who the Jets drafted in the fourth round (103rd overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft. He didn't see any action last season and probably won't see any this season, either. Staring Petty in 2017 is a gamble, as the team doesn't know what he could bring to the table.
The Jets don't need to worry about their quarterback situation right now, but once the season is over, they either must sign Fitz to another deal or they will be searching for a quarterback to lead their team in 2017 and beyond.