Buccaneers sign QB Ryan Fitzpatrick as Jameis Winston's backup

By Cameron DaSilva, Cameron DaSilva

Published May 19, 2017

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers parted ways with Mike Glennon this offseason, leaving a hole at backup quarterback behind Jameis Winston. On Friday, they filled that gap by signing former Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick will compete with Ryan Griffin and Sean Renfree for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, but hell need to play much better than he did in 2016 to earn that job. He had 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 11 starts, going 3-8 with the Jets. He was far better in 2015 when he threw 31 touchdown passes and just 15 interceptions, but that seemed like more of a fluke than a trend.

The Buccaneers hope they never have to deploy Fitzpatrick, Griffin or Renfree because that would mean Winston was injured. However, as weve seen for years, backup quarterbacks are important because injuries do happen.

Fitzpatrick will probably never see the field, but it's a smart signing with the Buccaneers adding quarterback depth.

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URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/buccaneers-sign-qb-ryan-fitzpatrick-as-jameis-winstons-backup