Gang Green heads to camp with uncertainty at quarterback

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. >> The New York Jets are heading to training camp with their expected starting quarterback still unsigned.

Locked in a contract stalemate that many assumed would have been resolved months ago, Ryan Fitzpatrick is still waiting for a new deal. That also leaves the Jets wondering just who’ll be under center when the regular season kicks off.

“Until I get to training camp and see what happens,” a mildly annoyed coach Todd Bowles said during minicamp last month, “I’m pretty much done talking about it.” Well, get ready, coach. Fitzpatrick set a franchise record with 31 touchdown passes and led the Jets to a 10-6 mark and within a win of the playoffs. He also galvanized a locker room shocked by Ikemefuna Enemkpali’s punch during camp last summer that broke the jaw of Geno Smith, sending the incumbent starter to the sideline.

Fitzpatrick enjoyed a career year while being reunited with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker catching just about everything thrown their way. So it seemed only a formality the veteran quarterback would re-sign with the Jets as a free agent.

Almost seven months later ... still nothing.

If Fitzpatrick comes back, he’ll have the starting role. If not, it’s Smith’s turn again.

“I don’t think I need to necessarily re-establish myself,” Smith said, “rather than to prove it every single day in practice, prove it to my coaches, teammates, whoever’s watching.”

Smith looked good during offseason workouts and minicamp, appearing to smoothly operate Gailey’s offense. But his career totals of 27 touchdowns, 35 interceptions and a 57.9 completion percentage when the games count have created plenty of skepticism.

If Fitzpatrick doesn’t come back and Smith struggles early during a tough first half of the schedule, a frustrated fan base could be calling for second-year QB Bryce Petty.

The Jets addressed their other major offseason issue by signing Muhammad Wilkerson to a five-year contract extension.

The Pro Bowl defensive end, still recovering from a broken leg, had been seeking a long-term extension for the last two years. He acknowledged last month he was frustrated and disappointed he still didn’t have a deal.