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Jets' Chan Gailey unconcerned with Ryan Fitzpatrick contract talks

Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Stalled contract talks between the New York Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick aren't going to change offensive coordinator Chan Gailey's approach to the offseason.

"I can't worry about that stuff," Gailey said Monday at linebacker David Harris' charity golf event, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. "I coach whoever walks in the door. That's what you have to do. We all know what he did for us last year. We all know what we think he can do this year."

"(The impasse) is the business side," Gailey said. "I'm worried about the football side."

Generally, offensive coordinators don't get involved in player contract negotiations, but Gailey and Fitzpatrick achieved unprecedented success together last season, after developing a strong relationship in Buffalo with the Bills from 2010 to 2012.

Right now, the Jets are heading into the season with Geno Smith, Bryce Petty, and second-round rookie Christian Hackenberg, whom Gailey was heavily involved in evaluating before the Jets pulled the trigger on the Penn State product.

"You try not to put a guy in a box," Gailey said of Hackenberg's collegiate struggles. "You try to make sure you keep an open mind and give him an opportunity to show what he can do. Every quarterback has their ups and downs. He's not by himself in that respect, so you're looking at the potential."

Whether the Jets have completely moved on from the idea of bringing Fitzpatrick back in as the starter is unknown, but it was most recently reported that the two sides are extremely far apart in contract negotiations.

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