Ranking all the stages of Ryan Fitzpatrick's NFL career
In an announcement that proved to be as much of a surprise to players as it was to fans, Ryan Fitzpatrick called time on his career after 17 seasons in the NFL.
The "Fitz-magic" era is now in the past, with the league losing one of its most charismatic players, who illustrated that increasing age didn’t have to equate to a downturn in performances.
The journeyman quarterback was loved wherever he went, even if he never quite had the ability to be an elite signal caller in the NFL. This is shown by the fact that he represented 9 teams throughout his time in the league.
His reliability and strength of character attracted teams to him as a backup option, yet invariably he would win-out and emerge as the starter at multiple teams.
Ryan Fitzpatrick served as the starting QB for 9 different teams in his career, the most of any player in NFL history.
Bengals
Bills
Buccaneers
Commanders
Dolphins
Jets
Rams
Texans
Titans
Fitzpatrick ended his career with a lengthy text message to teammates, with the Washington Commanders being his final destination before riding off into the sunset.
In appreciation of the popular quarterback, we have ranked his time in the NFL by his performances with each of the franchises he represented.
#9 – Washington Commanders (0W 1L)
It is somewhat upsetting that the worst period of Fitzpatrick’s career will be the last memory we have of him.
He signed a one-year deal with Washington to be the team's starter and he held that role until his first game with the team. He was injured during the second quarter and didn't return. Unfortunately, the injury would result in him missing the entire season. Unless he changes his mind on retirement, it is the last we will see of the veteran quarterback on the field.
Not only did his Washington career stand at a single defeat, Fitzpatrick completed just three of six attempted passes, was sacked once and fumbled the ball once.
#8 – St. Louis Rams (0W 3L)
The St. Louis Rams (now Los Angeles) drafted Fitzpatrick all the way back in 2005, yet he wasn’t the answer for the team at quarterback. In two seasons with the struggling team, he was able to start just three games, all of which came in his rookie year.
He threw for 777 yards and four touchdowns and couldn’t find a rhythm and was an immediate target for defenses.
His ball retention skills were poor, he was sacked nine times and he fumbled the ball on three occasions. He had eight interceptions during his time with the Rams.
The original Fitzmagic ✨ The original Fitzmagic ✨
Playing in the first game of his @NFL career, Ryan Fitzpatrick guided the @RamsNFL back from a 21-point halftime deficit by tossing 3 TDs, including a 56-yard game-winner in overtime. (Nov. 27, 2005) (Via BuffaloBills91/YT) https://t.co/eUFCAyzEG7