Brian Hoyer

ESPN's Rich Cimini offered the following on the Jets-Ryan Fitzpatrick situation:

If a trade happens between Denver and San Francisco for QB Colin Kaepernick, Ryan Fitzpatrick would lose a potential suitor, perhaps the last one -- other than the Jets, of course.

Ideally, the Jets would like to resolve the contract stalemate by April 18, the start of the offseason program. Unless another team emerges from the weeds, Fitzpatrick's only options are to take the Jets' low-ball offer (about $7 million) or not play.

I don't think Fitzpatrick's pride would allow him to cave quickly; he could try to slow-play the Jets. They could try to pressure him by flirting with Brian Hoyer or Josh McCown, but they'd better be careful. If New York ends up with one of them and loses Fitzpatrick, it's a loss for the Jets, even if they save a few million bucks. They need him, he needs them. Get it done.