(SP) – New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan announced that any player who passes the team’s fitness tests at the opening of training camp will face a steep $10,000 fine and subsequent $1,000 fines for each day they stay in shape.
“We have been very clear with the team on what we are trying to do this year,” said Maccagnan. “They need to understand that being in shape could put us at risk of winning football games and that just can’t happen.”
Management has made it clear they will enforce the fine policy with “no exceptions.”
“If you made a mistake and trained and worked hard to get ready for the 2017 season of Jets football, then you better go out there and purposely huff and puff and fail your fitness tests,” said head coach Todd Bowles. “For the few good players we still have on this team, purposely failing will be a huge part of this season. So messing up on the fitness test is a great way to kick things off.”
Despite the rigid policy, Maccagnan did say the team may grant a waiver to quarterback Christian Hackenberg.
“He is in great shape,” said the general manager. “But he’s also terrible at throwing a football and no amount of muscle will ever change that, thankfully. He’ll be our Week 1 starter.”
