Win-now Jets make the right move by ending Ryan Fitzpatrick madness

10:49 PM ET

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The most drawn out, least suspenseful contract dispute in recent NFL history is finally over. Ryan Fitzpatrick is back with the New York Jets, just like everybody expected back in February.

The initial takeaway: Fitzpatrick gets what he wanted, and the Jets get their quarterback. If you’re looking to declare a winner, give a slight edge to Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick agreed to a one-year contract for a fully guaranteed $12 million, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. He can earn an additional $3 million with team incentives, but it’ll take a deep playoff run for him to see any of that money. It’ll be tough, but he can make a total of $15 million, which is what he wanted at the outset of this long and crazy staring contest.

The Jets had been opposed to a one-year contract (hence, the three-year, $24 million offer), but a couple realities hit them hard: Training camp begins Thursday, and Geno Smith would’ve been under center. No matter how much they talked up Smith’s performance in the spring, the Jets never wanted him to be their starter. They would’ve told The Beard to take a hike if they felt Smith were anywhere close to Fitzpatrick.

Basically, they sliced off the second and third years of their initial proposal, which contained $12 million in the first year. In exchange, Fitzpatrick surrendered $4 million of the $16 million guarantee that was included in the offer that had …

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