Jets finalize 1-year deal with QB Fitzpatrick

The New York Jets officially came to terms on a one-year deal with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. In other news, the Cleveland Browns will name their starting quarterback before their exhibition opener.

The New York Jets made the re-signing of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick official, announcing the move less than 10 minutes before the start of the team’s first practice of training camp.

Fitzpatrick and the Jets agreed to a one-year deal worth $12 million guaranteed on Wednesday night. The Jets tweeted out a picture of Fitzpatrick signing his deal, and the quarterback is on the field participating in practice Thursday.

Fitzpatrick was a free agent who was locked in a contract stalemate with the Jets since free agency began in March.

To make room on the roster for Fitzpatrick, the Jets waived punter Tom Hackett.

New York also announced it has placed defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, wide receiver Devin Smith, running back Khiry Robinson, guard James Carpenter, tackle Breno Giacomini and cornerback Kendall James on the active/physically unable to perform list.

Browns to name starting QB before first exhibition

Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson said he will name his starting quarterback for this season before the team’s first exhibition game next month.

The Browns will open the preseason on Aug. 12 at Green Bay and Jackson said he will “definitely” have his starter in place by then.

Robert Griffin III is expected to win the starting job over veteran Josh McCown and rookie Cody Kessler. The Browns signed RG3 to a two-year, $15 million contract in March. McCown started eight games last season before breaking his collarbone.

Jackson said his decision on the quarterback will “show itself very quickly” in training camp. Griffin showed some rust during mini-camps in the spring, but Jackson felt the 26-yearold was “’getting there” during those workouts. Jackson did not say how he planned to divide snaps between his quarterbacks in camp.

Vikings extend Zimmer

The Minnesota Vikings have given coach Mike Zimmer a contract extension as he opens his third training camp with the team.

General manager Rick Spielman declined to disclose the terms of the deal when the Vikings reported Thursday to Minnesota State University, but Zimmer’s original contract was not close to expiring.

“It’s good to get done now and to get a chance to move forward,” said Zimmer, a long-time defensive coordinator for Dallas and Cincinnati who got his first opportunity to be a head coach with Minnesota at age 57.

He’s 18-14, with one loss in the playoffs. Only Dennis Green, with 20, had more wins in his first two seasons as coach of the Vikings.

“I can tell you, in my 26 years in the NFL, I have not had the experience and the cohesiveness as I do with coach Zimmer,” Spielman said.

Two potential sites for Vegas Raiders

Developers who want to build a home for the Oakland Raiders in Las Vegas say they plan to hone in on two potential stadium sites within the next month.

Representatives from Majestic Realty and the Las Vegas Sands casino company told an oversight committee Thursday that hammering out a real estate deal will be the hardest part. They want to get their plan in order by January, when NFL owners who must approve any team relocation are scheduled to meet.

Stadium proponents want to tap into $750 million in hotel tax revenue to pay for a venue that they estimate will cost $1.7 billion to $2.1 billion.

Raiders President Marc Badain said he hoped people didn’t question his team’s commitment to move from Oakland to Las Vegas.

Sharper case

The criminal case that exposed former NFL star Darren Sharper as a sexual predator has moved closer to resolution with guilty pleas in Louisiana state court by two co-defendants.

Court records show Erick Nunez pleaded guilty to sexual battery and Brandon Licciardi (lih-CHAR’dee) pleaded guilty to human trafficking and rape.