By now we all know that "voluntary" NFL offseason workouts are anything but, and a player skipping one is news.
Usually a player's absence is over a contract, which makes New York Jets receiver Eric Decker's silent protest normal. What's unusual about Decker is he's reportedly skipping practices over someone else's contract.
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick isn't signed, and it's amazing that the standoff will likely go into June. Decker wasn't at OTAs this week, and New York Post beat writer Brian Costello said it was because Decker is upset the Jets haven't signed Fitzpatrick yet. Brandon Marshall isn't at OTAs this week either, although Costello reported that's not over the Fitzpatrick issue. It's quite a coincidence then, and the New York Daily News' Manish Mehta wrote Thursday that if people don't think the absences of Marshall and Decker aren't "sending a subtle message to the powers that be that it’s time to end this silliness with their quarterback, I have some prime swampland in Florida to sell you."
It's hard to imagine this spreading — Jets players might love Fitzpatrick, but they probably like having jobs even more — but it's a unique way of voicing an opinion. It also would make for a bit of an uncomfortable situation if Fitzpatrick isn't re-signed and Decker has to play with a quarterback already on the roster, but that's an issue for later.
It's amazing that the Jets and Fitzpatrick haven't come to an agreement yet, and even though Fitzpatrick is a veteran, the missed offseason time can't help him or the team. It's creating bad feelings for at least one of the team's stars too.
Everyone thinks eventually the Jets and Fitzpatrick will agree to a deal. How much damage will be done by the time that happens?
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