Ryan Fitzpatrick becomes Jameis Winston's new backup for Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on Friday, effectively replacing Mike Glennon as the backup for Jameis Winston.
Fitzpatrick was among a handful of veteran passers — a list that includes Colin Kaepernick — still on the market. Glennon signed with the Chicago Bears in March, presumably to be the team's new starter, but could have a short stint in that role after the arrival of Mitchell Trubisky with the draft's No. 2 overall pick.
Terms of Fitzpatrick's deal were not immediately disclosed.
Fitzpatrick, 34, spent the last two seasons with the New York Jets and mostly served in a starting role. He had a career year in 2015, throwing a personal-best 31 TD passes, and sought a long-term deal after the Jets finished 10-6. Those efforts, however, were rebuffed after protracted negotiations, and he settled for a one-year, $12 million deal weeks before the start of the training camp last season. He went on to have a poor 2016 campaign, which included 17 interceptions and losses in eight of his 11 starts. The Jets eventually turned to youngster Bryce Petty as their starter.
A veteran of 12 NFL seasons, Fitzpatrick is now joining his seventh organization with the move to Tampa. His career record is 46-69-1 with 25,888 yards passing, 166 TDs and 133 INTs. Fitzpatrick has never appeared in a playoff game.
PHOTOS: NFL players on the move