With the holiday weekend upon us let's take a look at the past week in the National Football League. We finally have progress between the New York Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick, a Marshawn Lynch update and much more.
The negotiations between the New York Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick have been at a stalemate over the past several weeks, but things have changed. New York Post reports the Jets have extended a three-year offer to Ryan Fitzpatrick. According to the report, the deal offers Fitzpatrick $12 million in the first year and the report also states that the offer has been on the table for four months.
If that is the case than Fitzpatrick is clearly seeking more money and with teammates like Eric Decker publicly voicing their displeasure with the Jets inability to lock-up their quarterback from last season, the organization may be painted into a corner, a costly one at that.
DiMoro's Take: The Jets have bumbled this scenario from the get-go and now they are ruffling the feathers of players such as Decker, who is skipping OTA's in protest. It is clear that the players want Fitzpatrick back and Fitzpatrick's play warrants a new deal. I don't blame Fitzpatrick for putting the pressure on an organization who hasn't exactly shown the quarterback the love he may feel he deserves.
Lynch May Not Return to Seahawks
Although he is currently retired there has been whispers that former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch may be eyeing a return to the field. But before Seattle fans get all hyped up about a Lynch return, they may want to read this piece from ESPN's Sheil Kapadia.
According to the post, even if Lynch does indeed return to the NFL it may not be with the Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle has Lynch's rights through 2017. In the event that Lynch does decide he wants to return to the field, Seattle would have four options: pay him under the terms of his current deal ($9 million salary in 2016); negotiate a pay cut; trade him; or outright release him.
Seattle is confident that Thomas Rawls can pick up the slack left behind by Lynch's retirement and, on top of that, Lynch is 30 years old. This could make for an interesting storyline if Lynch does get the itch to play later this fall.
How likely is it that Lynch does return? According to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, Lynch "told two ex-teammates that he is still thinking about playing this upcoming season."
DiMoro's Take: This may be an annoying storyline that may not die anytime soon. While it's possible that Lynch may, eventually, decide to return, I believe this story will be worn out by the time it finally does happen.
Prepare yourselves for plenty of Lynch rumors as we head into the regular season and beyond.
Arian Foster A Month Away, Miami Bound?
The free agent running back market may be heating up soon. Former Houston Texans running back Arian Foster who tore his Achilles' at the end of October is saying he is about a month away from being healthy.
"I probably need another month to get where I am, the person everyone is use to seeing," Foster said in an exclusive interview with ABC 13. "I can definitely play but I need another month to be where I want to be and be at that Pro Bowl level."
When Foster declares himself 100% all signs point to him signing with the Miami Dolphins who could use a proven, veteran running back of Foster's talent on their depth chart.
"You know, I've been cut before but I ended up right back here," said Arian Foster. "So, the uncertainty was 24 hours. You are not 100 percent sure where you are going to land, where you are going to live."
DiMoro's Take: I believe the only real landing spot is Miami but Foster better prove he is worth their investment. The Dolphins have a need but they also have another option if former running back Knowshon Moreno, who had a nice brief stint with Miami before a knee injury, proves to be healthy.
