5 potential replacements for Ryan Fitzpatrick
![Sep 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) looks to pass during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Sep 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) looks to pass during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/434436fea9ffb9831fd0d95fee79f1b26becf28240c13900f8c3e1a2199b036d.jpg)
4. Bryce Petty
Since being selected by the Jets in the 2016 NFL Draft, Bryce Petty hasn’t seen the field much. Ryan Fitzpatrick has controlled the starting job, while Geno Smith has backed him up. Adding Christian Hackenberg to the fold didn’t prove to be a ringing endorsement for the Baylor product, either.
If the Jets decide it’s time to move on from Fitzpatrick at quarterback, though, that could mean it’s Petty’s time.
The 25-year-old has yet to take a regular season snap, so we don’t really know what he can do against top-level competition. He has received snaps in practice for about 18 months, and based on what Christian Hackenberg did in the preseason, maybe they could see if Petty is their quarterback of the future. This obviously wouldn’t require giving up picks or taking a salary like Chase Daniel’s either.
In the preseason, Petty hurt his arm, but never got placed on injured reserve. This was done to keep him on the 53-man roster and continue his growth as a potential future starter.
Petty may need more time, though. He’s still just 25 and has no reason to be rushed into the starting spot. Giving him the rest of the year to watch and develop could be beneficial as he pursues a starting opportunity in 2017. If the Jets get desperate, though, Petty could see a start.