The Washington Football Team has named Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starting quarterback for Week 1, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Fitzpatrick beat out Taylor Heinicke in Washington’s perceived quarterback competition.
The decision was more of a foregone conclusion, as Fitzpatrick has led the first team throughout training camp and preseason. Washington head coach Ron Rivera kept his choice close to the vest. However, he admitted “the players knew” who the starting QB would be.
Fitzpatrick signed a one-year deal worth $10 million in free agency. Washington will be his ninth team he’s played for when he takes the field Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The 38-year old spent the last two seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He made 20 starts and appeared in an addition four games during his time there. Last season, he was benched in favor of first-round pick Tua Tagovailoa despite playing well.
Fitzpatrick threw for 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions in nine games, including seven starts. In his first 16 seasons, Fitzpatrick has only started all 16 games three times and not since 2015 when he played for the New York Jets.
Last season, Washington started three different quarterbacks in the regular season due to injuries and poor performance. Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen and Alex Smith each started games. Heinicke became the fourth different QB under center when he started in Washington’s wild card playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Now, Rivera hands over the reigns to Ryan Fitzpatrick in hopes he gives stability to the position in 2021.
