Ryan Fitzpatrick unavailable in Saints quarterback search

With the possibility that Jameis Winston doesn’t return for New Orleans, the Saints are forced to look at other options including quarterbacks that could just fill a year-to-year gap while they search for a long-term option at the position.

One of those options for New Orleans was going to be ex-Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick enters the offseason as a free agent once again and could have been to his ninth team in his mobile career.

Fitzpatrick definitely made his way around the NFL. In those eight other teams, he played for the St. Louis Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Miami Dolphins.

In the middle of the Saints’ quarterback search, potential stop-gap QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is likely to call it a career this offseason.

Fitzpatrick hasn’t had the most luxurious or high-profile 15-year career. However, he has been one of the most stable and reliable quarterbacks that the NFL has ever seen. Recently, he balled out for the Miami Dolphins at the beginning of the 2020 season.

Even after drafting Tua Tagovailoa high in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Dolphins elected to start Fitzpatrick. After going 4-3 in his first seven games, the Dolphins decided to replace Fitz”magic” with their rookie quarterback and give him a shot.

Regardless of his benching, Fitzpatrick still threw for over 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns in those seven games. He still had it. I feel like he still had at least a couple of quality seasons still left in his career where he could potentially be the perfect bridge between long-term quarterbacks.

However, despite interest from a handful of teams looking for a quarterback, it looks like, according to reports, that Fitzpatrick is going to call it a career and retire on a high note. Even though I don’t blame him, he was the best stopgap option.