Fitzpatrick Says He Wants To Return To Jets, Won't Walk Away From Football
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Whether Ryan Fitzpatrick is back with the Jets is still up in the air, but one thing is clear: The free agent quarterback is not walking away from football any time soon.
Appearing Monday at former Jet Willie Colon's charity golf tournament in Croton-on-Hudson, Fitzpatrick did not say much about his monthslong contract negotiation with the Jets, but he did lay to rest speculation that he might retire.
MORE: Keidel: We Get It, The Jets Beat Fitzpatrick … Now Sign Him, Please
"I'm playing football next year," he told reporters, according to the New York Post.
ESPN reported last month that Fitzpatrick told people he would rather not play football than play for the Jets at their contract offer.
The team has reportedly offered Fitzpatrick a deal for $7 million to $8 million annually while he has sought millions more.
General manager Mike Maccagnan has repeatedly said he hopes to re-sign the 33-year-old QB. Fitzpatrick reiterated Monday he, too, hopes to work things out.
"I would like to be back," he said.
He declined to say anything more about the negotiations, adding he wants to keep a low profile and appreciates that the discussions have been behind closed doors and not through the press.
In an interview with SiriusXM Radio, he declined to put a percentage on his chances of returning to the Jets. While the team opens organized team activities Tuesday in Florham Park, New Jersey, Fitzpatrick said he is preparing for the upcoming season on his own.
In 2015, Fitzpatrick passed for 3,905 yards and a team-record 31 touchdowns. The Jets finished 10-6 but missed the playoffs.
