Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers,(Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)

Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t going to make it into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor, but he retires a legend in the minds of fans across the NFL.

The short Ryan Fitzpatrick Era for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is one that no fan should ever forget. There were three or four games there during that stretch where it seemed like this Bucs team could do anything, and the win versus the Saints in 2018 will go down as one of the best in that matchup of all time.

Fitzpatrick didn’t have the career to make it into the Hall of Fame, but his apparent retirement today marks the end of a legendary NFL career that no fan should overlook.

The 17-year career by Fitzpatrick was marked by some up and down play on the field, but Fitz was able to cultivate a legend as one of the best backup quarterbacks to ever play the game.

What Fitzpatrick was able to do as a spot starter for the Bucs and the Dolphins during the later stages of his career is what helped etch his legacy in stone. How many teams have to trade their veteran backup because he puts too much pressure on young quarterbacks like Jameis Winston and Tua Tagovailoa?

“Fitzmagic” brought exactly that for a few games every year. These unbelievable highs were also marked by very low valleys in play, but the roller coaster is what made Fitzpatrick such a fun player to watch and root for.

Were you getting 400 yards and four touchdowns, or were you getting 3 picks that day? There was little in-between, but those highs sure had a way of electrifying the various teams that Fitzpatrick joined, especially the Bucs during a time where they needed something to be excited for.

From his play on the field to his funky demeanor and leadership off of it (see Fitz wearing Desean Jackson’s outfit in one of his most memorable moments in Tampa), Fitzpatrick has a hand in the growth of a shocking number of NFL teams today, Tampa included. Not a lot of players can say they played for nine teams during their career as a starter.

Veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is retiring from the NFL after 17 seasons. Threw for 34,990 passing yards and 223 TDs after coming into the league as a 7th-round pick out of Harvard. Gave fans some of the most memorable moments on and off the field.

Heck of a career, Fitzmagic. pic.twitter.com/Kd2LQ4xUjh

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 2, 2022

A great player has just left the NFL. Hopefully Ryan Fitzpatrick has a way of staying around the game. He sure has a way of making it more fun and exciting.

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