New Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt opted to cut Ryan Fitzpatrick in lieu of paying him the reasonable sum of $3.25 million for 2014. New Texans coach Bill O’Brien has embraced Fitzpatrick the team’s new starter.
Via multiple reports, O’Brien has named Fitzpatrick the starting quarterback in Houston. Cut in early 2013 by the Bills after getting a long-term deal in 2011 and dumped this year by Tennessee, Fitzpatrick is on track to start a game for his fifth franchise.
As a rookie in 2005, Fitzpatrick started three times for the Rams. In 2008, when Carson Palmer was dealing with elbow issues, Fitzpatrick made 13 starts in Cincinnati. He started 53 games for Buffalo from 2009 through 2012, and nine last year with the Titans.
The decision means that Fitzpatrick won’t lose reps to a “competition” with Tom Savage, T.J. Yates, or Case Keenum. Still, it’s hard not to imagine O’Brien flipping the switch to Savage if/when Fitzpatrick struggles.
The move likely won’t do much (if anything) to change receiver Andre Johnson’s position. He’s holding out not for a new contract but a new team. And he likely won’t be impressed with the team’s new starting quarterback.