Ryan Fitzpatrick became a legend among NFL fans. From his outrageous beard to his creative postgame attire, Fitzpatrick — or as he is known by many fans, Fitzmagic — had a storied NFL career spanning three decades and had one of the most well-traveled NFL careers.
Which Teams Has Ryan Fitzpatrick Played For?
St. Louis Rams
The Rams drafted Fitzpatrick from Harvard University with the 250th pick in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Notably, Fitzpatrick was the final QB selected in the 2005 NFL Draft.
Fitzpatrick earned a spot on the roster as a third-string QB behind Marc Bulger and Jamie Martin. Starting QB Bulger sustained a shoulder injury that required a stint on the IR, ending his 2005 season. Martin was injured in the Ram’s November contest against the Houston Texans, and Fitzgerald made his NFL debut.
Fitzpatrick earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week, leading the Rams back from a 24-3 deficit to a 33-27 overtime victory. Fitzpatrick made three more starts for the Rams in 2005 but could not replicate the magic he had during his debut. Following the 2006 season, Fitzpatrick was traded from the Rams to the Cincinnati Bengals for a seventh-round pick.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals traded for Fitzpatrick to backup starting QB Carson Palmer. In 2007, Fitzpatrick didn’t see any action. In 2008, Fitzpatrick made 12 starts when Palmer injured his elbow. Fitzpatrick was known as a loose cannon on the football field, a QB who would play wildly outside the confines of an NFL offense.
Fitzpatrick ran for the third-most yards at the QB position in 2008.
Buffalo Bills
During the 2009 offseason, Fitzpatrick signed a three-year contract with the Bills. In the middle of the season, Bills head coach Dick Jauron was let go by the organization and replaced with interim head coach Perry Fewell.
Fewell named Fitzpatrick the new Bills starting QB for the remainder of the 2009 season. Fitzpatrick went 5-4 as the starting QB. Despite his success, the Bills went back to Trent Edwards to begin the 2010 season. Two games in, the Bills removed Edwards as starter and replaced him with Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick was successful under offensive-minded head coach Chan Gailey in 2011-2012. In 2011, Fitzpatrick was named AFC Player of the Month for September, and Buffalo rewarded him with a six-year contract extension. Things turned south in Buffalo quickly. Following the 2012 season, the Bills fired Gailey, and Fitzpatrick was released.
Tennessee Titans
Following the 2012 season, Fitzpatrick signed a two-year deal with Tennessee to backup starting QB Jake Locker. Locker was injured throughout the 2013 season, so Fitzpatrick started nine games under center for the Titans.
Before the 2014 NFL Draft, the Titans released Fitzpatrick in favor of Charlie Whitehurst.
Houston Texans
Before the 2014 season, Fitzpatrick signed a two-year contract with the Texans. Fitzpatrick rotated starting duties with Ryan Mallett throughout the season. Following the 2014 season, Fitzpatrick was traded from the Texans to the New York Jets for a late-round conditional pick.
New York Jets
Fitzpatrick reunited with former coach Chan Gailey. The Jets signed Fitzpatrick to backup starting QB Geno Smith, but teammate IK Enemkpali punched Smith and broke his jaw. Fitzpatrick started once again.
Fitzpatrick had his best season as a pro in 2015, starting all 16 games, throwing for 3,900 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Ryan Fitzpatrick's best team performances from 9-1:
9. Washington Commanders
8. Los Angeles Rams
7. Tennessee Titans
6. Cincinnati Bengals
5. Houston Texans
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Miami Dolphins
2. New York Jets
1. Buffalo Bills pic.twitter.com/pYwZ8SPnaV— Grant Flood (@floodsters) June 11, 2022
The Jets tried to replace Fitzpatrick in 2016, but another injury to Geno Smith and Fitzpatrick was back under center again. The Jets started Bryce Petty in the final few games of 2016, and Fitzpatrick’s time in “The Big Apple” was over.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In 2017, Fitzpatrick was signed by the Buccaneers to back up Jameis Winston. Winston suffered several injuries in 2017, and Fitzpatrick was called upon to start again.
Ryan Fitzpatrick UNDERSTOOD THE ASSIGNMENT in Tampa Bay 😅 pic.twitter.com/Cf2uph9Ecj
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 27, 2022
Fitzpatrick signed a one-year extension with the Buccaneers for the 2018 season. The NFL suspended Winston for three games to begin the season, and Fitzpatrick was starting again. Fitzpatrick finished the 2018 season with a career-best 100.8 QB rating.
Miami Dolphins
In 2019, Fitzpatrick signed a two-year deal with the Dolphins. The Dolphins attempted to replace Fitzpatrick as starting QB with Josh Rosen. Rosen didn’t cut it, so they returned to Fitzpatrick to end the season.
MORE: Ryan Fitzpatrick’s Greatest Career Moments
In 2020, Fitzpatrick entered the season as the Dolphins’ starting QB, but Miami drafted Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The clock was ticking on Fitzpatrick’s time in Miami, and despite early season success, Miami switched QBs, naming Tagvailoa the starting QB for Week 8.
Washington Football Team
Fitzpatrick signed a one-year deal with Washington in 2021. Unfortunately for the veteran QB, he was injured with a hip subluxation and was out for the remainder of the season.