A year ago, NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was heading into the season with promise and hope. The then-38-year-old had signed a one-year deal with the Washington Football Team. He was set as its Week 1 starter.
He earned the opportunity after his flashes of great QB play the season prior with the Miami Dolphins before turning into a mentor for the young Tua Tagovailoa.
Washington was coming off an NFC East division title with a top-level defense. Fitzpatrick was an upgrade from the musical chairs the team had at quarterback in 2020.
However, Fitzpatrick’s hopes and excitement came to a crashing halt in the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Chargers edge-rusher Uchenna Nwosu beat Washington left tackle Charles Leno Jr. off the edge before delivering a punishing hit on an unsuspecting Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick suffered a hip subluxation. Ultimately the injury became season-ending. The injury didn’t heal properly, and he had to undergo surgery. He played just one half with the now-Washington Commanders.
Last week, his former teammate with the Buffalo Bills, Fred Jackson, broke the news Fitzpatrick retired from the NFL after 17 seasons.
Speaking on the "Adam Schefter Podcast," Fitzpatrick detailed how the injury with Washington led him to retirement.
“Last year for me kind of ended up being a preview for what was to come. After I got hurt — and with the trainer situation in Washington — I was pretty much removed from the team probably three to four weeks after my injury,” Fitzpatrick said.
“It was kind of a rehab for an hour or two each day [thing], but I was removed from the day-to-day, the meetings, the football and being involved with that. It gave me a glimpse into the future of what retirement would look like, it drove my wife crazy, but I think it was a good preview for what was to come. It was time and I’m ready for it.”
Fitzpatrick was always viewed as a stopgap solution for Washington. However, the expectations were high for the short term. The defense-led team won a division title and made the playoffs with subpar QB play the year before.
Even if Fitzpatrick was a one-year deal, he could have upped his value for the next team. Several teams around the league are heading into the 2022 season pressing pause at quarterback with eyes on the 2023 draft.
Unfortunately for the now-39-year-old Fitzpatrick, his career died in Washington last year. The Commanders had issues with the trainer. Their head trainer was placed on administrative leave in October. He was a subject for a federal investigation stemming from distribution of prescription pills.
That matter may have complicated Fitzpatrick’s recovery. He detailed the situation played a significant role in him retiring.
His time in Washington will be a footnote on his otherwise compelling career. It spanned 17 seasons with nine different teams. Fitzpatrick is arguably one of the best journeyman quarterbacks in league history.
He played for the Bills, Buccaneers, Rams, Bengals, Titans, Texans, Jets and Dolphins aside from Washington. But his season with Washington will be one he probably wants to forget.
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