Decker: Jets focused on OTAs, expect Fitzpatrick back
After lobbying for the veteran to return this spring, New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker conceded that his team needs to forget about quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, for now.
"All I can say is we have to move on without him right now because they are stuck where they are with the business decision, where they want to go with the money, who's going to break," Decker said today on SiriusXM NFL Radio, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini . "But, again, we have a job to do and that's to be the best football team, field the best football team, of who we have in the locker room right now."
Fitzpatrick remains a free agent after completing 59.6 percent of his passes for 31 touchdowns against 15 interceptions, but he hasn't been able to reach an agreeable contract with the Jets.
While Decker says that the Jets can't focus on Fitzpatrick's contract situation, the veteran receiver still expects his bearded quarterback to be the team's signal-caller come September.
"I believe it's Fitzpatrick," Decker told NFL Network, when asked who the Jets' starting quarterback would be Week 1. "Right now, it's a business and they're so far off in dollar amount but Ryan wants to be back, they want Ryan back. Something is going to happen. It might be before training camp, the day or two before, but I believe that he'll be back on the team come this fall."
Decker stated last week that he wanted Fitzpatrick to return, due to the strong camaraderie he's developed with the club, but realizes the team needs to focus on the upcoming season.
Last month, Decker, Jets center Nick Mangold, and Fitzpatrick went to a New York Rangers playoff game together, and all three players seemed to be in good spirits. Jets' star wide receiver Brandon Marshall lobbied the team on several occasions to re-sign Fitzpatrick to little avail.
New York drafted Christian Hackenberg in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, ostensibly as a contingency plan if Fitzpatrick doesn't re-sign. If Fitzpatrick and the Jets cannot reach a new contract, Geno Smith is expected to feature as the team's starting quarterback.