The Fitzpatrick Cycle has been broken.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, the NFL's foremost expert in facial hair and mercurial quarterback play, has reportedly decided to call it a career.
In a text message screenshot shared by former Bills running back Fred Jackson, Fitzpatrick appears to send a thank you of sorts for his time in the league.
Congrats on a Helluva career, Fitzy!! Loved sharing the field with you!! The gratitude is all mine!! #BillsMafia #fitzmagic pic.twitter.com/s7n4DsiLJ7
— Fred Jackson (@Fred22Jackson) June 2, 2022
MORE: Fitzmagic to Fitztragic: Power ranking Ryan Fitzpatrick's NFL teams
Fitzpatrick played a single game at the start of the 2021 season for Washington, during which he suffered a season-ending hip injury. The seventh-round-pick-turned-starter-turned-backup-turned-starter (ad infinitum) made himself a household name for his quirky personality and (at times) exciting quarterback play.
Here's why he decided to call it quits:
Why did Ryan Fitzpatrick retire?
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Fitzpatrick "never made it back from the major hip injury he suffered," and underwent surgery for it in December.
That injury, coupled with Fitzpatrick's advanced age (39, turning 40 in December) spelled the end for the passer.
Ryan Fitzpatrick never made it back from the major hip injury he suffered in last season's opener and had surgery in December. In all, he played 166 games (147 starts) over 17 seasons with the #Rams, #Bengals, #Bills, #Titans, #Texans, #Jets, #Bucs, #Dolphins and Washington.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 2, 2022
How many teams has Ryan Fitzpatrick played for?
In all, Fitzpatrick played 17 seasons for nine different teams: the Rams, Bengals, Bills, Titans, Texans, Jets, Buccaneers, Dolphins and Washington.
He alternated from bench player to spot starter to starter to gun-for-hire in his career.
MORE: In other NFL old guy retirement news…
Ryan Fitzpatrick stats
Here's how his numbers break down per team (per Football Reference):
| Years | Team | Games (Starts) | Record | Yards | TDs | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | St. Louis Rams | 5 (3) | 0-3 | 777 | 4 | 3 |
| 2007-08 | Cincinnati Bengals | 14 (12) | 4-7-1 | 1,905 | 8 | 9 |
| 2009-12 | Buffalo Bills | 55 (53) | 20-33 | 11,654 | 80 | 64 |
| 2013 | Tennessee Titans | 11 (9) | 3-6 | 2,454 | 14 | 12 |
| 2014 | Houston Texans | 12 (12) | 6-6 | 2,483 | 17 | 8 |
| 2015-16 | New York Jets | 30 (27) | 13-14 | 6,615 | 43 | 32 |
| 2017-18 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 14 (10) | 4-6 | 3,469 | 24 | 15 |
| 2019-20 | Miami Dolphins | 9 (7) | 4-3 | 2,091 | 13 | 8 |
| 2021 | Washington Football Team | 1 (1) | 0-1 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
Ryan Fitzpatrick career earnings
Though he was a seventh-round pick, Fitzpatrick made the most of his NFL career — and the most cash of any seventh-round pick.
According to Spotrac, Fitzpatrick made $82 million in his career, the most of any seventh-round pick ever.
Highest All-Time Earning 7th Round Picks
— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 2, 2022
1. Ryan Fitzpatrick, $82M
2. Matt Cassel, $65M
3. Trent Brown, $48M
4. Cortland Finnegan, $46.3M
5. Julian Edelman, $46M
Fitzpatrick cashed in on several big-money deals throughout his career, but most of his money came from the extension he signed with the Bills in 2011: He inked a six-year deal worth $59 million ($24 million guaranteed). He played through two years of that deal before he was released in 2013.