The New York Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick are still far from reaching a new deal. And from the looks of it, the Jets might have issued a gag order to their players, preventing them from talking about the contract standoff.
According to New York Post, five Jets players were allowed to face the media after the training camp on Wednesday. However, it seems like they were hesitant to talk about Fitzpatrick's situation.
Reporters tried to ask Jets running back Matt Forte about Fitzpatrick, but the 30-year-old said that all questions about their disgruntled quarterback should be asked to coach Todd Bowles. "All questions about Ryan is for coach Bowles. They told me to tell you all that," Forte said.
Forte was then asked who made the order, but he did not name names. "They. Everybody knows who they are," he said. It is unclear if the veteran running back was talking about their media relations staff or their top officials, including coach Bowles.
The Jets and Fitzpatrick are on a back-and-forth contract negotiation, where both parties appear not willing to budge. ESPN reported that the two camps, which have been talking for a new deal since January, are still for from reaching a common ground.
The Jets are reportedly firm on their current of offer -- a three-year deal worth $24 million with $15 million guaranteed salary. However, Fitzpatrick feels he deserves more, but the Jets are not blinking, considering the fact that there is no serious competition on the market for the veteran quarterback.
Jets center Nick Mangold admitted on Tuesday that he recently talked to Fitzpatrick, but they did not discuss the current contract stalemate. He is hoping, though, that the two parties will settle their differences as soon as possible to remove all distractions heading into next season.
"I don't claim to know what's going on or have any feelings about what's going on because I have no control over it," Mangold said, when asked about Fitzpatrick's situation. "Hopefully, things get worked out."
Fitzpatrick played 16 games last season, where he tallied 3,905 passing yards 31 touchdowns against 15 interceptions. The Jets failed to reach the playoffs after finishing with a 10-6 record.
Watch Fitzpatrick's 2015-16 season highlights below.