In 2018, Ryan Fitzpatrick jumped into the starting role for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And his first start may have been his best game ever, as he led the Tampa Buccaneers in a shocking win over the New Orleans Saints, 48-40. Now he’s a free agent and the Saints would be wise to have him on their side starting in 2019. His experience could be the answer if Drew Brees retires in the not too distant future.
Ryan Fitzpatrick Could Provide Insurance For Saints
Drew Brees Cannot Play Forever
Of Course, the Saints would love to have Teddy Bridgewater to be the heir apparent to Drew Brees. Unfortunately, that scenario seems to be a long shot. Bridgewater should be sought after from many NFL teams when free agency begins later this week.
That leaves Taysom Hill as the only other quarterback on the roster. Hill has been simply incredible in all phases of the game. A jack of all trades for sure, by blocking punts to running back kicks. Taysom Hill isn’t going anywhere. Still, the question remains if he is the long term solution at quarterback.
So there lies a problem. Drew Brees can’t go on forever and the Saints have a small window to make another run possibly in 2019. Also, the Saints only have but one draft pick in the first three rounds this year. Surely, Sean Payton wants to win now. Brees is closing in on 41 years old next year. And Brees has changed his tune a bit on how much longer he wants to play.
“Do I feel like I could play this game for a lot longer? Until I’m 45 and beyond? Yes I do, if that was what I wanted to do, I feel I could do that, God willing, health wise and everything,” Brees said. “But I’m telling you, I’ll walk away from this game prior to that.”
Fitzpatrick Answers Questions Going Forward
Back in October when Brees talked with CBS about a sooner retirement than previous interviews. He hinted that he’s looking to spend more time with the family. Certainly, he’s earned the right to do whatever he wants. The Saints have to incorporate a contingency plan just in case. Age has to be a concern too. After 40 years old, quarterbacks are hard to find starting for any NFL team. Drew Brees and Tom Brady are the lone two left still playing at a very high level after 40.
“I don’t know when [retirement] will be yet, but what it has done is it made me value each and every day that much more. It’s made me want to stay in the moment that much more.”
That day is coming and the Saints could use a veteran like Ryan Fitzpatrick as a formidable backup. Fitzpatrick showed that his better years could be ahead of him too. Having Fitzpatrick here should ease the worries about the future. And if the Saints bring in a young quarterback, he gets the luxury of slowly preparing for the ultimate role of being the future Saints’ quarterback going forward.
Is Fitzpatrick perfect? Absolutely not. But the numbers show that Fitzpatrick can be counted upon in a pinch. This also gives the Saints the latitude to keep on playing Taysom Hill as the jack of all trades. This is a win-win situation for the Saints. And just maybe, Who Dat Nation can watch a little FitzMagic in the black and gold.
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