The Post has learned from two NFL sources the Jets are offering quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick a three-year contract with $12 million guaranteed in the first year. That deal, according to the sources, has been sitting in the lap of Fitzpatrick’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, for about four months.
With the current deal offered, Fitzpatrick could earn up to $36 million, including incentives, according to the sources.
That offer is significantly higher than the offer of $6 million to $8 million per year that had been reported for months.
Fitzpatrick made $3.25 million in a wonderful revelation of a season in 2015, throwing 31 touchdown passes — a Jets franchise record and a career high.
Jets head coach Todd Bowles has said all offseason the starting job is Fitzpatrick’s if and when he re-signs with the team.
In the interim, which includes the ongoing organized team activity (OTA) sessions the Jets have started, Geno Smith has been taking the first-team snaps.
Sources have told The Post in recent weeks, dating back to the NFL draft, Fitzpatrick has been eager to have a deal completed.
“Fitz just wants to get back with the guys,” a source said.
One of the NFL sources expressed surprise the Jets have kept this offer on the table for so long because it does not appear Fitzpatrick has any leverage in terms of other offers or guaranteed starting jobs.
Fitzpatrick’s best leverage in this contract squabble — one that has become more protracted than anyone predicted — is the relationship he built with his teammates, in particular receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker.
In an eye-opening maneuver, according to a report by The Post’s Brian Costello on Wednesday, Decker opted not to participate in this week’s OTA sessions to protest the fact a deal has not yet been struck with Fitzpatrick. Also absent this week was Marshall, though sources said he was away on vacation with his family.
The OTA sessions are voluntary, but both Marshall and Decker are two of the hardest working players on the team, so their absence was curious.
Fitzpatrick led a team to a winning record for the first time in his career last season. Prior to that he had not won more than six games in any one of his 10 seasons.
He also was largely responsible for an offensive chemistry that had been lacking that for years.
With Fitzpatrick at the helm, Marshall and Decker had career seasons in 2015.
Fitzpatrick’s year ended on a down note, however, when he threw three costly interceptions in a season-finale loss to the Bills that kept the Jets from the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. Fitzpatrick never has been to the playoffs.
The Jets are the sixth team Fitzpatrick has been on in his 11-year career and fourth in the last four seasons. It seemed as if he had found a home in 2015. He has five children and was vocal at the end of last season that he has no interest in moving his family again.