Bucs quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has cobbled together a long career with seven different NFL teams after going undrafted coming out of Harvard in 2005.

He has a record of 48-69-1 as a starter in the NFL. He had a winning record once when he went 10-6 with the New York Jets in 2015.

Since taking over for Jameis Winston he has guided the Bucs to two victories.

“He’s done a good job,” Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said. “Teams aren’t dying to play their backup quarterbacks, but our backup quarterback, much like the (Falcons), has a lot of experience and 118 starts under his belt. He’s gone in there and he’s done a good job.”

Fitzpatrick has played with the Rams, Bills, Bengals, Titans, Texans, Jets and Bucs. He’s crafty.

“Toughness,” Koetter said. “Smarts. Competitiveness. Desire to win. Calming influence. How’s that off the top of my head.”

He’s completed 69 of 119 passes (58 percent) for 820 yards for seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He has a passer rating of 88.2.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins — pictured attempting a pass against the Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 — faces Saints rookie Tyler Shough on Sunday, and neither have shown much on the field this season. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — pictured at an August rally in Peachtree City that also featured Vice President JD Vance — appears to have scored another legal victory over gubernatorial rival Attorney General Chris Carr in their battle over campaign finance issues. (Arvin Temkar/AJC 2025)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC