The Denver Broncos have interest in free-agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, but it seems like the journeyman signal-caller is more likely to retire than not this offseason.
Though the Denver Broncos have kicked the tires on veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick this offseason, it seems like he will be hanging up the spikes, as opposed to suiting up for another team.
John Clayton of 104.3 The Fan reports Fitzpatrick may retire, despite the Broncos having interest in him this offseason. Fitzpatrick has spent 16 NFL seasons with eight franchises out of Harvard. He was most recently with the Miami Dolphins, where he split time with former No. 5 overall pick Tua Tagovailoa.
Fitzpatrick spoke with me recently about Tagovailoa’s development as a passer.
If this is it for Ryan Fitzpatrick in the NFL, then what a beautiful ride it has been
Fitzpatrick may have been Ivy League Player of the Year back in 2004, but he had to earn everything that came his way at the professional level. He was a seventh-round pick by the then-St. Louis Rams in 2005. Fitzpatrick was taken in the compensatory part of that final round. A few more picks and he would have been Mr. Irrelevant. Fortunately for all of us, he had a story to tell.
Whether he was starting games for the Buffalo Bills, nearly leading the 2015 New York Jets to the AFC playoffs, doing FitzMagical things for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or helping usher in an heir apparent in Miami, Fitzpatrick was one of the most captivating quarterbacks in the league, no matter where he played. He was an inspiration to us all to work your tail off because you love it.
If retirement is around the corner for Fitzpatrick, it was an absolute pleasure watching him play.