Decker hopes Fitzpatrick saga gets resolved before camp

The New York Jets are getting dangerously close to having their contract standoff with Ryan Fitzpatrick extend into training camp.

All indications are that the two sides still face a significant gap in negotiations more than three months after the veteran quarterback officially became a free agent.

Eric Decker has been one of several players in the Jets organization to speak out in favor of the club re-signing Fitzpatrick, but the continued lack of progress now appears to have him simply hoping for clarity.

"I hope something gets worked out, one way or the other, so we can not have distractions going into training camp," the wide receiver said in an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, according to Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper.

"I think for any team to have success, you have to have some kind of direction. And, with training camp, that's where you get the timing, that's where you kind of build the team and build your identity. And if it's still in question marks and you don't know what's going on, you're going to create some kind of issues that we don't need to have."

Should Fitzpatrick eventually return to the team, the offense would use training camp and preseason action to get back on track and build upon last year's success.

Breaking off talks, on the other hand, would allow receivers to plan to play the 2016 campaign with Geno Smith under center.

While a pre-camp resolution seems ideal for all parties involved, the lack of a quarterback market makes it possible that both player and team will continue to play the leverage game well into the summer.

A dire salary-cap situation makes it difficult for the Jets to justify increasing their latest offers to a 33-year-old quarterback with limited long-term upside. Re-signing in New York currently represents Fitzpatrick's lone opportunity to continue in a starting job, though, and it's unlikely that he'd settle for anything less coming off a career year.