Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick re-signed with the New York Jets Wednesday, July 28 and got roasted for it via social media.
According to ESPN, the deal is for one year and $12 million and includes $3 million in incentives, which means the deal could be worth $15 million. The signing ends a five-month contract dispute between Fitzpatrick and the Jets. Fitzpatrick had turned down an offer for three years and $24 million. The Jets then offered him $9 million and increased the offer to $12 million.
"It definitely was a long process," Fitzpatrick said. "After coming to the realization that it wasn't going to get done right away and that it was going to take some time, I tried my best to put it out of my mind and tried to live life normally. But it was hard with people coming up to me and asking about the contract, people texting me. It was hovering ... looming over my head for five, six months. In the end, I'm happy the way it turned out."
The Jets tweeted that the deal was official on Thursday when Fitzpatrick signed the contract. The tweet showed Fitzpatrick signing his contract and looking a bit disheveled so people made fun of his appearance on Twitter.
Fitzpatrick was drafted by the St. Louis, now Los Angeles, Rams in 2005. The Jets acquired him last year in a trade with the Houston Texans. He threw for 3,905 yards, which is a career-best, and topped Vinny Testaverde’s franchise mark of 29 touchdowns last year, according to the Associated Press. He has thrown for 23,178 yards with 154 touchdowns and 116 interceptions and is 43-61-1 in his 11-year career.