New York Jets want deal with Ryan Fitzpatrick before OTA's

NEW YORK, May 18 (UPI) -- Unsigned free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and the New York Jets are pinning OTA's as the "first legitimate deadline" for a deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

"Next Tuesday the Jets begin OTA's," Rapoport said. "From what I'm being told, that is the first legitimate deadline for when both sides would like a deal to be done if Fitzpatrick is to remain the starting quarterback of the Jets."

On Wednesday, one of Fitzpatrick's favorite targets last season said that he expects Fitzpatrick to be the Jets' week one starter.

"I believe it's Fitzpatrick," Eric Decker told ESPN. "Right now, it's a business and they're so far off in dollar amount, but Ryan wants to be back, they want Ryan back. Something is going to happen. It might be before training camp, the day or two before, but I believe that he'll be back on the team come this fall."

Fitzpatrick, 33, led the Jets to a 10-6 record last season. He completed 335-of-562 passes, for 3,905 yards, a career-high 31 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 2015.