Picture a world where Ryan Fitzpatrick ends up in Bill Belichick’s hands.
The 38-year-old journeyman goes full circle and makes it to the fourth and final AFC East team. What a wild scenario. Well, Pro Football Focus thinks it’s possible and it’s an interesting dynamic to consider. In nine games played this season, Fitzpatrick finished with 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions — with 30 rushes for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
Cam Newton is likely out and the Patriots reportedly will search for a veteran quarterback to temporarily take over. Jimmy Garoppolo, Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan and Mitch Trubisky are all options to potentially land in Josh McDaniels’ offense. Fitzpatrick is a much more exciting and intriguing prospect to come in and nurture a draft pick or young quarterback.
Here’s what Pro Football Focus had to say.
After one of the most volatile careers in recent history, Fitzpatrick has played the best football of his career since 2018 as he’s posted three of his four best PFF grades. His aggressiveness allows playmakers to create chunk plays down the field, but it also allows the defense to make just as many plays on the ball. Still, that style works well with the right supporting cast, and Fitzpatrick has actually done a fine job of maximizing his group of playmakers and subpar offensive line in Miami.
PFF predicts that he lands in New England on a one-year, $10 million deal.
Given the fact the Patriots signed Newton on a one-year, $1 million deal, there’s a slim possibility he gets paid that much. But, as aforementioned, Fitzpatrick could be the perfect bridge quarterback to guide a younger player and give the Patriots the opportunity to win.
“I’ve never really met him, but he’s one of my favorite players to watch outside of us playing him, if that makes sense,” Newton said. “His energy, man. I got an opportunity to watch him when he was in Tampa, and the Fitzmagic — it didn’t start there, I know him in his stint in Buffalo or whatever; I believe that’s where it kind of took off.
“But his energy, and anybody who has this kind of aura about themselves, it doesn’t matter if it’s swag, dorky, nerdy, quirky, I’m better than you — it doesn’t matter. Fitz is a person from afar that I see as, like, man, that’s a dude that I know I can hang out with. And I respect his game a lot.”
The Patriots have a lot of decisions to make, but this one could be the most fascinating.
