Jets Reportedly Will Sit Christian Hackenberg, Expect Deal with Ryan Fitzpatrick

The New York Jets do not plan to play new quarterback Christian Hackenberg in his rookie year, as they believe they will secure a deal with veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Hackenberg, the former Penn State quarterback, was chosen by the Jets in the second round with the 51st overall pick and was the first quarterback selected Friday. 

After leading the Jets to a 10-6 record last year, Ryan Fitzpatrick and the New York Jets have reached an impasse in terms of a new contract. The former Harvard quarterback would rather sit out of football this season than sign with the Jets for their offer of $7 million-$8 million per year, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Fitzpatrick, according to Schefter, is looking for "twice that amount annually."

With Fitzpatrick still unsigned, New York's quarterback depth chart sans Hackenberg features 2013 second-round pick Geno Smith and 2015 fourth-round pick Bryce Petty. 

The Fitzpatrick negotiations put the team in a bind, but the Jets believe Hackenberg is their guy. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller has Hackenberg as the No. 100 prospect on his big board and the No. 4 quarterback.

Hackenberg is a stretch for the Jets in the second round, however. His completion percentage dropped from 58.9 percent his freshman year (2013) to 53.5 percent last year. His 2,525 yards were the lowest in his three years at Penn State. It could take more than one year for Hackenberg to develop into the quarterback the Jets see him as.

The Jets and Fitzpatrick need to find common ground on a new deal. Fitzpatrick earned a new contract after a 3,905-yard, 31-touchdown performance last year. At 33 years old, it would not be a good decision to give Fitzpatrick $16 million, but they also can't afford to take a step back after last year's 10-win season.

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.