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Ryan Fitzpatrick Reportedly in Talks for 'Key Role' with Amazon After NFL Retirement
June 2, 2022
Longtime NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is in contract discussions with Amazon about joining its football coverage in a "key role" following his on-field retirement, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Former Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson, a past teammate of Fitzpatrick, posted a screenshot Thursday of a text message he received from the 17-year veteran that indicated he will retire:
Fred Jackson @Fred22JacksonCongrats on a Helluva career, Fitzy!! Loved sharing the field with you!! The gratitude is all mine!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BillsMafia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BillsMafia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fitzmagic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fitzmagic</a> <a href="https://t.co/s7n4DsiLJ7">pic.twitter.com/s7n4DsiLJ7</a>
Fitzpatrick became one of the most beloved players of the generation while sporting his trademark unruly beard and playing some of the most boom-or-bust football imaginable.
The 39-year-old Arizona native enjoyed memorable moments, which sparked the creation of his FitzMagic nickname, but he never established himself as a franchise quarterback.
His journeyman career featured stops with nine teams after the then-St. Louis Rams selected him in the seventh round of the 2005 draft out of Harvard: the Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Bills, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders.
Fitzpatrick opened last year as Washington's starter, but he suffered a hip injury in Week 1 that landed him on season-ending injured reserve.
He finishes his career with 34,990 passing yards and 223 touchdowns in 166 games.
The former Bills signal-caller showed up at the team's playoff game in January, going shirtless to celebrate Buffalo's win over the New England Patriots:
kyle margeson @jessekjm<a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNNFL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SalSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SalSports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JeremyWGR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeremyWGR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EWood70?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EWood70</a>. The moment I caught on video Saturday night will be one of the greatest memories of my life. The passion! GO BILLS! <a href="https://t.co/2rbOzpmVXi">pic.twitter.com/2rbOzpmVXi</a>
The personable Fitzpatrick is on track to become the latest quarterback to make the jump to broadcasting.
Amazon Prime Video is set to become the exclusive home for Thursday Night Football in 2022 with Al Michaels on play-by-play and Kirk Herbstreit handling color commentary.
It's unclear whether Fitzpatrick would join that duo in the booth or will be ticketed for a spot on pregame and postgame coverage if he finalizes an Amazon deal.