Fitz: ‘Can’t complain’ about losing job

Ryan Fitzpatrick explained to reporters in Tampa, Fla., what happened for him to lose his job with the Jets and a starting quarterback spot in the NFL.

Fitzpatrick took the blame for a poor 2016 season. He threw 17 interceptions and just 12 touchdowns in a 5-11 year.

“It’s the harsh reality of the NFL,” said Fitzpatrick, who signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers. “There’s [just] so many jobs that are available. I can’t complain about it. Last year I was the starter. If you play well as the starter you continue to play. I didn’t play well, so I lost the game of musical chairs. They pulled the chair out from under me.”

Initially, his comments were reported differently. A reporter in Florida said Fitzpatrick said the Jets were the ones who pulled the chair out from him. But clearly Fitzpatrick is talking about losing his spot as one of the 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL.

Fitzpatrick compared it to 2012 when the Bills cut him and he went to the Titans as a backup. He pointed out that he was also a backup in 2015 when the Texans traded him to the Jets. He began that year as Geno Smith’s backup, but replaced him after IK Enemkpali broke Smith’s jaw in a locker room fight during training camp. Fitzpatrick went on to lead the Jets to a 10-6 record and throw a franchise-record 31 touchdown passes before a terrible season last year that saw him benched twice.