The Facts: HC Todd Bowles has approached the Fitzpatrick Saga as if Fitzpatrick were not coming back to quarterback the Jets. Geno Smith has gotten the first-team reps during organized team activities and Tuesday's first day of minicamp, with Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg working as backups. And after Tuesday's minicamp practice, when Smith fared well in a red-zone drill and was solid if somewhat less consistent otherwise, Bowles said he had no hard deadline on getting Fitzpatrick back in the building. "I don't have a drop-dead deadline right now," Bowles said.
Diehards Line:
The possibility that Fitzpatrick might re-sign still exists, however. Bowles and GM Mike Maccagnan have previously made it clear Fitzpatrick would be the starter if he returns, and that training camp is when they would need him to begin their preparations for the 2016 season. If Bowles doesn't have Fitzpatrick back by the start of camp in late July, he was asked, how much would that hinder any offensive planning for the season? And what happens if Fitzpatrick signs after camp begins? "It doesn't hinder our offensive planning at all; we're going full-speed ahead, right now," Bowles said. The coach insisted the Jets wouldn't have to adjust the offensive system for Fitzpatrick or Smith. ... We'll be watching this one closely in coming weeks.