Report: Ryan Fitzpatrick’s departure from Miami Dolphins ‘almost a given’

The likelihood of Ryan Fitzpatrick remaining with the Miami Dolphins for the 2021 season is minimal according to a new report that indicates that his leaving for another team is “almost a given.”

Alain Poupart of SI.com looked at the Dolphins’ backup quarterback situation and pointed out that Fitzpatrick’s desire to start, coupled with the team’s outlook, help paint a picture of the veteran heading elsewhere.

“Fitzpatrick’s departure is almost a given based on his numerous statements, including one during Super Bowl week, about his desire to not just be on a roster but play as well as head coach Brian Flores’ comments after the 2020 regular season that every player would be subject to evaluation,” Poupart wrote.

After signing with the Dolphins in 2019, Fitzpatrick started 13 of 15 games that season, then began the 2020 campaign in the starting role.

However, rookie Tua Tagovailoa took over after six games and started all but one of the team’s remaining contests.

Fitzpatrick, who is an unrestricted free agent, was called upon to not only start one game, the Nov. 29 clash against the New York Jets, but was also brought in to try to help the Dolphins make a comeback in two games.

In the latter of those two contests on Dec. 26 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Fitzpatrick helped set up the game-winning field goal with a clutch drive in the final minute. That victory temporarily helped keep the Dolphins’ playoff hopes alive.

Changing teams is something that Fitzpatrick has done often over his 16-year NFL career, but his likely absence puts the burden on the Dolphins to find another mentor who can help Tagovailoa improve next season.