Career Earnings
Fitzpatrick’s biggest contract was a six-year, $59 million deal with Buffalo he signed in 2011. Ahead of the 2016 season, he signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the Jets. In total Ryan Fitzpatrick earned $82 million in NFL salary during his career.
Early Life and Education
Born on November 24, 1982, in Gilbert, Arizona, Fitzpatrick exhibited exceptional intelligence and athletic ability from an early age. He attended Highland High School, where he excelled both academically and on the football field. His academic prowess earned him acceptance to Harvard University, where he majored in economics while playing quarterback for the Crimson. At Harvard, Fitzpatrick set numerous school records and earned Ivy League MVP honors in 2004. He also scored a reported 48 out of 50 on the Wonderlic Test, one of the highest scores ever recorded by an NFL prospect.
Early NFL Career
Selected 250th overall in the 2005 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams, Fitzpatrick began his career as a third-string quarterback. He made his NFL debut in November 2005, coming off the bench to lead a stunning comeback victory against the Houston Texans. This performance would set the template for his career: unexpected opportunities seized with dramatic flair. After two years with the Rams and a brief stint with the Bengals, Fitzpatrick found his first real opportunity to start with the Buffalo Bills in 2009.
The Buffalo Years
Fitzpatrick’s tenure with the Bills (2009-2012) represented his longest stint with any NFL team and helped establish his reputation as a capable starter. In 2010, he took over as the full-time starter and earned a six-year, $59 million contract extension in 2011. While in Buffalo, he developed his trademark beard and gunslinger playing style, willing to take risks and throw into tight windows. Though the Bills never made the playoffs during his tenure, Fitzpatrick’s leadership and toughness endeared him to fans and teammates alike.
The Journeyman Years
From 2013 to 2021, Fitzpatrick embarked on a remarkable journey that saw him play for six different teams in nine years. He served as both backup and starter, often beginning seasons as a backup before being called upon to lead the offense. His most successful stint came with the New York Jets in 2015, where he set a franchise record with 31 touchdown passes. He also had memorable moments with the Buccaneers, including a three-game stretch in 2018 where he became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 400+ yards in three consecutive games.
