Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ryan Fitzpatrick

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ryan Fitzpatrick made an impact.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is a retired NFL quarterback renowned for his journeyman career. Over 17 seasons, he remarkably started for nine different teams, the most in NFL history. A unique achievement is his record of throwing a passing touchdown for eight different teams. Post-retirement, Fitzpatrick transitioned into sports analysis, currently serving as an analyst for Thursday Night Football on NFL on Prime Video.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2001: Fitzpatrick's first starts for Harvard

In 2001, Ryan Fitzpatrick had five starts for the Harvard Crimson, working as the backup for Neil Rose.

2002: Fitzpatrick's performance in 2002

In 2002, Ryan Fitzpatrick recorded 1,155 passing yards with eight touchdowns and no interceptions to go along with 523 rushing yards and five touchdowns for Harvard Crimson.

2003: Fitzpatrick took over starting job

In 2003, after Rose graduated, Ryan Fitzpatrick took over the starting quarterback job for Harvard and finished his junior campaign with 1,770 yards, 16 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in seven games. He also ran for 430 yards and six touchdowns, leading his team to a 7–3 record.

2004: Ivy League Player of the Year

In 2004, Ryan Fitzpatrick was named the Ivy League Player of the Year and winner of the George H. "Bulger" Lowe Award. He accumulated 1,986 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions, and led Harvard to a 10–0 record, winning the Ivy League Championship.

July 18, 2005: Signed with the Rams

On July 18, 2005, Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a three-year, $953,000 contract with the St. Louis Rams. He began as the third-string quarterback.

November 27, 2005: NFL Regular Season Debut

On November 27, 2005, Ryan Fitzpatrick made his professional regular season debut for the Rams against the Houston Texans, completing 19 of 30 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Rams to an overtime victory. He earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance and became the first Harvard quarterback to start an NFL game.

2005: Drafted by St. Louis Rams

In 2005, Ryan Fitzpatrick was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the NFL draft.

2005: Drafted into NFL

In 2005, Ryan Fitzpatrick was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round (250th overall) of the NFL draft.

2006: Limited Appearance in 2006

In 2006, Ryan Fitzpatrick appeared in only one game for the St. Louis Rams, appearing late in the regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.

September 1, 2007: Traded to Cincinnati Bengals

On September 1, 2007, Ryan Fitzpatrick was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals for a seventh-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft.

September 28, 2008: First Bengals Start

On September 28, 2008, Ryan Fitzpatrick made his first start for the Bengals against the Cleveland Browns due to an injury to Carson Palmer. He was the leading passer and rusher in the 20–12 loss.

October 12, 2008: Fitzpatrick Started every game for the rest of the season

On October 12, 2008, Ryan Fitzpatrick got the start against the New York Jets and every other game for the rest of the season for the Cincinnati Bengals.

2008: Trade to Cincinnati Bengals

In 2008, the Cincinnati Bengals received a seventh-round pick in the NFL draft from the trade of Ryan Fitzpatrick.

2008: Fitzpatrick signed tender offer

In the 2008 offseason, a restricted free agent, Ryan Fitzpatrick signed his one-year tender offer from the Cincinnati Bengals on April 17.

February 27, 2009: Signed with Buffalo Bills

On February 27, 2009, Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a three-year, $7.4 million contract with the Buffalo Bills.

October 18, 2009: First appearance with Buffalo Bills

On October 18, 2009, Ryan Fitzpatrick made his first appearance with the Buffalo Bills against the New York Jets when starter Trent Edwards went down with an injury. Fitzpatrick threw for 116 yards, a touchdown, and an interception and led the Bills to a 16–13 overtime victory.

November 18, 2009: Named Bills' Starter

On November 18, 2009, Ryan Fitzpatrick was named the starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills by interim head coach Perry Fewell.

2009: 2009 Season Stats

In 2009, Ryan Fitzpatrick finished the season with 1,422 passing yards, nine touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries in 10 games and eight starts with the Buffalo Bills.

September 20, 2010: Named Starting Quarterback

On September 20, 2010, Ryan Fitzpatrick was named the starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills following the team's 0–2 start to the 2010 season.

October 28, 2011: Contract Extension

On October 28, 2011, Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a six-year, $59 million contract extension including a $10 million signing bonus with the Buffalo Bills.

2011: 2011 Season Stats

After the 2011 season, it was revealed that Ryan Fitzpatrick had broken his ribs. He finished the 2011 season with 3,832 yards, 24 touchdowns, and a league-leading 23 interceptions.

2012: 2012 Season Stats

In 2012, Ryan Fitzpatrick finished the season with 3,400 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions as the Bills' starter.

March 12, 2013: Released by Bills

On March 12, 2013, Ryan Fitzpatrick was released by the Buffalo Bills after a leaked phone call revealed the team's unhappiness with his contract.

March 18, 2013: Signed with Tennessee Titans

On March 18, 2013, Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.

March 14, 2014: Released by Titans

On March 14, 2014, Ryan Fitzpatrick was released by the Tennessee Titans and replaced by Charlie Whitehurst.

March 18, 2014: Signed with Houston Texans

On March 18, 2014, Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a two-year contract with the Houston Texans.

November 5, 2014: Demoted to Second String

On November 5, 2014, Ryan Fitzpatrick was demoted to second on the Houston Texans' depth chart, being replaced by Ryan Mallett.

November 23, 2014: Renamed Starter

On November 23, 2014, Ryan Fitzpatrick was renamed the starter for the Houston Texans after Ryan Mallett tore his pectoral muscle. Fitzpatrick threw for a franchise-record six touchdowns and 358 yards in a victory over the Tennessee Titans, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

March 11, 2015: Traded to New York Jets

On March 11, 2015, Ryan Fitzpatrick was traded to the New York Jets for a late-round conditional draft pick. After an incident involving Geno Smith, Fitzpatrick was tentatively named the Week 1 starter.

2015: Winning Season with New York Jets

In 2015, Ryan Fitzpatrick had one of his only two winning seasons with the New York Jets.

2015: Fitzpatrick breaks Testaverde's record

In the 2015 season, Ryan Fitzpatrick broke Vinny Testaverde's 1998 franchise record for most touchdown passes in a season.

2015: Free Agent

Ryan Fitzpatrick was a free agent after the 2015 season.

July 27, 2016: Signed Contract with Jets

On July 27, 2016, Ryan Fitzpatrick, a free agent after the 2015 season, signed a one-year fully guaranteed $12 million contract with the New York Jets.

2016: 2016 Season Stats

In the 2016 season, Ryan Fitzpatrick finished with 2,710 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions.

February 15, 2017: Free Agency

On February 15, 2017, Ryan Fitzpatrick's contract was voided, and he became a free agent.

May 19, 2017: Signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On May 19, 2017, Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

March 9, 2018: Signed One-Year Contract Extension

On March 9, 2018, Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a one-year contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Due to Jameis Winston's suspension, Fitzpatrick became the starting quarterback for the beginning of the season.

2018: 400-Yard Games

As a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018, Ryan Fitzpatrick became the first NFL quarterback to throw for over 400 yards in three consecutive games.

March 18, 2019: Signed with the Miami Dolphins

On March 18, 2019, Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Miami Dolphins and was named the starting quarterback over Josh Rosen.

September 7, 2020: Won Dolphins Starting Job

On September 7, 2020, Ryan Fitzpatrick was confirmed as the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback for the second consecutive year, beating out rookie Tua Tagovailoa.