Mike Maccagnan stands by decision to re-sign QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The Jets gave Ryan Fitzpatrick a one-year, $12 million contract in July, yet they could be on the verge of benching him for a second time.

Nevertheless, general manager Mike Maccagnan claimed he's not second-guessing the decision to re-sign Fitzpatrick after a contract stalemate that dominated the offseason.

"No, I have no regrets about bringing Ryan back," Maccagnan said Wednesday, speaking to reporters for the first time since training camp.

Fitzpatrick, coming off a career year in which he set the franchise record with 31 touchdown passes, was benched after a 1-5 start. He got the starting job back because Geno Smith suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Now, Fitzpatrick's status is again up in the air.

He sat out Sunday with a mild knee sprain, as Bryce Petty made his first NFL start -- a 9-6 loss to the Rams.

Coach Todd Bowles has declined to name a starter, saying he will make that announcement Monday, when the Jets (3-7) return from their bye week. It's conceivable that Fitzpatrick, who has a league-high 13 interceptions, could be sent to the bench again.

Maccagnan defended the decision to re-sign him Wednesday.

"I think going into it, we felt very good about the season Ryan had previously," he said. "I have no regrets from that standpoint.

"Of course, I think everybody, and Ryan included, would probably say he holds himself to a fairly high standard. I'm sure there are aspects that he would like to ... we all would like to have better success on the field as a team. But from the standpoint of bringing Ryan back, no, I don't have regrets on that."

Maccagnan declined to comment on the looming quarterback decision, saying Bowles has the final say. The GM said his role is limited to consulting with the head coach.

"From my standpoint, you like to see young players play, but you also want to make sure they're ready for that," he said, alluding to Petty. "To me, it's a more complicated decision than some people realize."

With the team out of playoff contention, fans and media are calling for Petty to start. The former fourth-round pick could emerge as the 2017 starter if he plays well down the stretch, but Bowles has said he will start the player that gives the Jets the best chance to win.

Fitzpatrick and Smith will be free agents this offseason, leaving Petty and rookie Christian Hackenberg as the only Jets QBs under contract for 2017.

It's the biggest question surrounding the team.

"It's not necessarily unnerving," Maccagnan said. "We feel good. We have two young quarterbacks to work with and grow and develop, and we'll see how we address this going forward."