Ryan Fitzpatrick Says Contract Negotiation Something He "wouldn't wish upon anybody"

Ryan Fitzpatrick and the New York Jets agreed to a 1-year, $12 million deal yesterday, ending the nightmare scenario that is “Starting Quarterback Geno Smith.” Fitzpatrick talked to the New York Daily News Thursday morning about his trying offseason. It sounds horrible. Prayers up for Fitzmagic! Via NYDN:

"“I’ll tell you what. This whole process has been so long and hard and something I wouldn’t wish upon anybody.”"

According to the story, Fitzpatrick stayed home and played with his kids and threw a football with his brother.

"If there’s a silver lining in it, at least for me, it’s the respect and support that those guys showed for me throughout the process,”"

The process of getting $12 million – the same amount reportedly offered months ago. Lots of months ago.

"“It was huge. That’s why you play the game. You play the game for your teammates, who really want to play with and for you."

Yup. That’s why you play the game. Unless you’re being offered less than $12 million. (Which he wasn’t.) You don’t play the game for your teammates for less than $12 million. (Which he wasn’t.)

"That was big for me…. I felt like I had to get back for those guys. I’m glad that we’re going to be able to get to work today.”"

He felt such an impetus to return to his teammates that he let perfectly good contract offers sit there for months. Of course, Jets training camp started on Wednesday. Fitzpatrick’s deal was done on Wednesday. The only people hurt by this holdout were the first-stringers reaching for Geno Smith’s errant passes during OTAs. Fitzpatrick really only missed one day of work in a profession where it’s actually in your best interest to not be at work because your work is extremely dangerous and could result in you missing future work.