Ryan Fitzpatrick Rumors: QB Willing to Sit out over Taking Jets' Contract Offer

It's clear that contract talks between the New York Jets and free-agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick aren't going well. The two parties have been far apart in their negotiations and haven't done much to gain ground, per SNY's Chris Carlin. 

On Thursday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Fitzpatrick said he would "rather not play football" than play for the Jets if they stick to their current contract offer (via ESPN.com). 

Per the ESPN report, the team originally proposed a deal of $7 million to $8 million per season in February, and it hasn't made another offer. Apparently, Fitzpatrick wants two times that amount per year. 

However, the New York Post's Brian Costello heard from a source that Fitzpatrick wants to be on the field:

Another source told Bleacher Report's Jason Cole that Fitzpatrick "has no intention of retiring," although his future with the Jets "sounds dicey."

In his lone season with the team in 2015, Fitzpatrick had a career year and made a solid case for a big contract.

He put up the second-best season from a quarterback in franchise history in terms of passing yards with 3,905 and threw a franchise-record 31 touchdowns as he led the Jets to a 10-6 record, their best season since 2010.

But a contract of $14-16 million per year is a big jump compared to his two-year, $7.25 million deal that just expired, per Spotrac.   

At 33 years old, longevity will also come into question as he could see a decline in his play. If another team were to offer him that kind of money and he does walk, then the Jets would have to scramble to find a capable starting quarterback for next season, which could tilt future negotiations in Fitzpatrick's favor.

Most big-name quarterbacks are off of the market, and at the Jets' current standing of No. 20 in Thursday night's Round 1, they could miss out on a lower first-round prospect, such as Memphis product Paxton Lynch. That could play a big role in Fitzpatrick's future with the Jets.

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.