Jets owner Woody Johnson to Ryan Fitzpatrick: ‘Come back’

Jets owner Woody Johnson has a message for Ryan Fitzpatrick.

“Come back to the Jets,” Johnson told reporters at the league meetings in Boca Raton, Fla. Monday.

Fitzpatrick, who is a free agent, has been in a contract negotiation stalemate with the Jets and is currently on the open market.

Heading into the offseason, most imagined a relatively painless negotiation between the two sides given that it seemed like Fitzpatrick and the Jets made the most sense for each other. However, a substantial difference believed to be around $ 7 million per year between the two sides has them in a standoff with an unclear timetable. The big chip working in the Jets’ favor is that there does not, at the moment, appear to be another landing spot for Fitzpatrick where he would be the unquestioned starter like he would be with the Jets. Perhaps that is one reason that Johnson said he remains “optimistic” the Jets will re-sign the 33-year-old quarterback.

“I kind of hope (he returns),” Johnson said. “He did have such a good year. I like him a lot as a person; he’s very engaging. He’s the Harvard guy, and then he’s the normal guy.

“The two sides have got to come up with an agreement that obviously both sides are happy with,” the owner added. “That is what we’re working toward.”

Does Johnson consider re-signing Fitzpatrick to be the team’s top priority at this point?

“Well, he’s a priority. You have to fill out about 25 positions, 25 percent change,” Johnson said. “We’re focused on this and we’re also looking at the draft. There is time to pick up players, not only this period but pre-draft free agents.”

If Gang Green ultimately fails to re-sign Fitzpatrick, they’ll have to consider other options at starting quarterback. Backup plans could include Geno Smith and/or Bryce Petty, who remain on the roster.

“I think the coach and the coaching staff and Mike (Maccagnan) will look at alternatives, whatever those alternatives are,” Johnson said. “We have some guys…on the squad. If that is the best, putting Geno or Bryce Petty in there, then that’s what we’re going to go.”

Johnson noted that the Jets had a “good” visit with Robert Griffin III, but that the quarterback did not work out and that Johnson did not personally speak with Griffin.

As well as Fitzpatrick played last year, when he led the Jets to 10 wins and threw 31 touchdown passes, no one considers him a top-flight quarterback. But while having a superstar QB is a critical component for many teams, Johnson said he believes the Jets don’t need an elite quarterback to win the Super Bowl.

“How did (Denver) win last year, at the end? Good D, baby,” Johnson told reporters. “Right? How about Von Miller. How would you like a guy like that? There’s only one Von Miller. A game changer.”

“I think our defense is going to be very, very good,” Johnson continued. “You have to win where you can win. There’s only X number of good quarterbacks — or I mean, really elite, elite quarterbacks in the league. Everybody recognizes that. So we have to do what we have to do.”

But despite recognizing that his team can get by without a top passer, he did note regret about having let Seahawks QB Russell Wilson slip by in the 2012 draft.

“We’ve had shots at them over the years,” Johnson said. “Like we could’ve drafted Russell Wilson in the second round. We’ve had shots at players, but we didn’t take those. Hopefully, we’re getting better at evaluating talent and picking talent, particularly quarterbacks.”

Not having a franchise quarterback has been part of the reason that the Jets have failed to make the playoffs for five consecutive seasons.

“I don’t like droughts,” Johnson said, when asked about the lack of postseason play in his franchise’s recent history. “I want to be in the playoffs and win the Super Bowl. That’s my desire. And that’s what the fans want.”

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