Ryan Fitzpatrick Re-Signs with Jets: Latest Contract Details, Comments, Reaction

The New York Jets announced Thursday that they officially re-signed quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick following his successful year with the team in 2015.

Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported the news on Wednesday.

Schefter noted that the $12 million deal is for one season and "fully guaranteed." He added that the "deal also includes another $3 million in incentives, which could boost [its] value to $15 million, per [a] source."

Albert Breer of The MMQB provided full financial details of the deal:

"It's his job," Jets head coach Todd Bowles said, per Eric Allen of Jets.com. "He's earned it. ... Happy it got resolved."

"We're happy we have Ryan back in the fold," Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said. "We got to a point where we felt comfortable and they felt comfortable with the deal."

Jeff Darlington of NFL Network noted that Fitzpatrick agreed to the deal mere moments before the Jets' self-imposed 7 p.m. ET deadline Wednesday.

Fitzpatrick discussed the deal with Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News on Thursday:

"

I'll tell you what. This whole process has been so long and hard and something I wouldn't wish upon anybody, but if there's a silver lining in it, at least for me, it's the respect and support that those guys showed for me throughout the process. It was huge. That's why you play the game. You play the game for your teammates, who really want to play with and for you. That was big for me. ... I felt like I had to get back for those guys. I'm glad that we're going to be able to get to work today.

"

"I would rather pass up on some guaranteed money and bet on myself," Fitzpatrick added, per Mehta.

Fitzpatrick, 33, threw for 3,905 yards, 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2015, showing excellent chemistry with wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker and leading the Jets offense to 10th in the NFL in total yards and 11th in total points.

Steve Serby of the New York Post noted why Fitzpatrick's signing is important: "No one realistically expects Fitzpatrick to replicate his career season of 2015—31 TDs against 15 interceptions—and no one ever likened him to [Joe] Namath, but he is the right man for the job because he gives the Jets the best chance to win."

Fitzpatrick has bounced around the league, playing on six different teams. His longest tenure came with the Buffalo Bills, where he spent four seasons between 2009 and 2012, largely as the starter.

It isn't surprising that he returned to the Jets, however.

The quarterback market dried up when the Houston Texans signed Brock Osweiler, the Los Angeles Rams traded up to No. 1 overall in this year's draft to select Jared Goff and the Denver Broncos took Paxton Lynch with their first-round selection.

Meanwhile, the Jets were facing a quarterback depth chart with the mediocre Geno Smith and rookie Christian Hackenberg as the top options. So a reunion was the best option for both sides, as Fitzpatrick can remain the starter while the team grooms Hackenberg as the quarterback of the future.

And Smith's days in New York are likely numbered unless he embraces a backup role.

While Fitzpatrick isn't an elite option at the position, he showed last year he could post solid numbers and led the Jets to a 10-6 record. Turnovers have always been an issue for Fitzpatrick—he's thrown 116 interceptions in 113 career games—but he is capable of leading New York to the postseason this year after coming within a single game last season.