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The Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick don’t appear to be getting any closer to a contract, but they’re not growing further apart, either.

Fitzpatrick told SiriusXM NFL Radio that he still wants to be the Jets’ quarterback this season, even though he’s currently a free agent.

“I had a great time with the guys last year and I want to continue doing this. I’m still preparing for the season,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s been a process and the good thing about it is the discussions have been behind closed doors.”

Fitzpatrick seems to realize that he’s going to have to settle for less money than quarterbacks who didn’t play as well as him last year — like Brock Osweiler and Sam Bradford — have received.

“You would drive yourself crazy looking at other contracts around the league,” Fitzpatrick said.

Eventually, it only makes sense for Fitzpatrick and the Jets to come together. They’re unlikely to find anyone better than him, and he’s unlikely to find another place where he’s guaranteed to start, as he will be if he stays with the Jets. From all accounts a deal will get done at some point, even if it’s surprising that it has taken so long.