By Lewis Gould
WFT opens the 2021 season in 10 days against the Los Angeles Chargers at FedEx Field.
And Washington will start soon-to-be-39-year-old Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback.
He’s a great story, given his longevity and Harvard pedigree.
But his story is a lot more interesting than his qualifications for this job have substance.
As USA Today’s Nate Davis points out:
On any given Sunday, Ryan Fitzpatrick could throw three interceptions, perhaps with a playoff berth on the line in the regular-season finale. Just ask the New York Jets.
He has a wealth of NFL experience … and a 59-86-1 record as a starter in 16 seasons.
He’s mastered any number of playbooks with his million-dollar Harvard brain … he’s also made any number of ill-fated gambles because his hundred-dollar Harvard arm often can’t cash the checks his brain writes.
Fitzpatrick is personable, popular with teammates and offers signature swag with his Reconstruction-era beard. He’s also a football vagabond who’s never appeared in a playoff game.
In short, he’s a prototypical backup quarterback – which makes the Washington Football Team’s decision to sign him to a one-year, $10 million contract and ride with him as the starter for 2021 all the more confounding.
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