The storied career of Ryan Fitzpatrick is now over with him announcing his retirement.
For 17 years, he fought to make the NFL playoffs with every team he was a part of in his career.
However, he never reached that coveted spot so many NFL players seek to reach.
His retirement comes after a 2021 season-ending injury dashed any hopes of him making the playoffs.
While he never made the playoffs, many NFL teams have given him the chance to reach the postseason.
His last chance came in 2020 with the Miami Dolphins.
However, it didn’t happen because of Miami replacing him mid-season with rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
With Fitzpatrick never reaching the playoffs despite all the chances he had, which NFL quarterback could follow him in those footsteps?
Could Sam Darnold Be The Next Fitzpatrick?
Former New York Jets, and current Carolina Panthers quarterback, Sam Darnold, could be the next Fitzpatrick.
He’s already seen two different teams in his brief career.
Also, he has yet to reach an NFL playoff game despite having comparable numbers to Baker Mayfield in the NFL.
However, his time in Carolina might be short-lived, with the team already looking to move on from him.
Carolina Panthers have been searching for a QB since Cam left the 1st time, how are they not on this list? They are more needy than PITT. They have Sam Darnold playing QB. At the very least they need a QB after moving on from Sam next year.
— Keith Williams (@KeithWi33268055) March 30, 2022
With him not seeing the playoffs and possibly being shipped off to another team next season, he could be that next Fitzpatrick.
It’s possible if he doesn’t find a team that has plenty of talent.
That is his current problem with the Panthers.
When they lost their top running back, he started losing games.
However, many fans won’t agree that Darnold could do better with more weapons around him.
But there is another quarterback who is already somewhat like the retired quarterback during his career.
Carson Wentz Is Already Experiencing A Similar Career
While Carson Wentz has a Super Bowl ring, he didn’t play in those playoff games that led the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl.
However, that is because he was injured during that season.
Yesterday the #Eagles took a team photo on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium. They posed in numerical order. Except for one player. Carson Wentz, was placed dead center. Today the team is gonna win the #SuperBowl for their injured QB. #FlyEaglesFly #WeWantIt @6abc pic.twitter.com/YJgXhJxQWN
— Jamie Apody (@JamieApody) February 4, 2018
But he has played in one NFL playoff game during his career, something that Fitzpatrick can’t lay claim to.
While he holds this edge over the retired quarterback, he also could still follow in his footsteps.
He’s already with his third NFL team as a starting quarterback.
That’s already one-third of the way to the number of teams that the retired quarterback played for in his career.
With him bouncing from team to team, he could end up like Fitzpatrick, with him moving around in the NFL as a starting quarterback.
No Matter Who Is The Next Fitzpatrick, We Should Remember Him For His Special Moments
While he never played in the playoffs, he still gave NFL fans some special moments.
In his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he earned the nickname Fitzmagic for bringing the team back in games.
He also came in and kept the Dolphins’ playoff hopes alive during the 2020 season.
So no matter which quarterback may never see the NFL playoffs like him, they might never have the other exceptional moments he had in his career.
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