Ryan Fitzpatrick, the seasoned NFL quarterback with 17 seasons under his belt, has transitioned seamlessly into a new role as a commentator on Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football. And it seems like he will be gracing our screens for the next three years as well.
In a recent interview with Richard Deitsch of TheAthletic.com on The Sports Media Podcast, Fitzpatrick revealed that he has inked a three-year contract extension, taking him through the year 2027. This news comes as a pleasant surprise to fans who have come to enjoy his insightful commentary and unique perspective on the game.
“I probably would have played until I was 60 years old, but I had a hip injury in Washington, which kind of forced me to think about other things and the end of my career,” Fitzpatrick shared with Deitsch. “It just so happened that Amazon was starting Thursday Night Football and I got on a phone call with them. I knew I was not going to go into coaching at the NFL level just because I’ve got seven kids. I respect what coaches do, and I wouldn’t be able to commit fully to being a great coach at least at this point in my life.”
Initially hesitant to commit to a long-term deal, Fitzpatrick explained, “I signed a short deal so I could evaluate at the end of those years. Before the season, I re-signed for three more years. I love the process of this and I love the team that I work with.” It seems that his passion for the game shines through in his work behind the mic.
While Fitzpatrick may have considered a career in coaching at one point, his current responsibilities as a father of seven made him reconsider. However, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of doing games in the future. As he continues to thrive in his new role as a commentator, fans can look forward to more insightful analysis and entertaining banter from the charismatic Fitzmagic.
