Former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has been reflecting on his long career of late.
The newly retired journeyman signal-caller recently opened up about being snubbed by Tom Brady for a postgame handshake.
And he might have just returned the favor in a small way.
Fitzpatrick recently told ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter that while Brady is the NFL's most decorated winner, former Colts and Broncos legend Peyton Manning is his choice for the greatest QB in league history.
“My favorite quarterback that I got to play against though was Peyton Manning,” Fitzpatrick said on The Adam Schefter Podcast. “Peyton had that — the laser focus and everything else — but I think Peyton is the greatest quarterback to ever live. And I think Tom Brady is the greatest champion, but I think Peyton Manning is the greatest quarterback to ever live.”
Fitzpatrick saw plenty of both Brady and Manning in his 17-year career, which included stints with nine different teams -- the Rams, Bengals, Bills, Titans, Texans, Jets, Bucs, Dolphins and Commanders.
But for him, Manning stood out as "the most impressive."
“He just did everything with so much intent. He changed the game with how he approached it from the mental side with all the things they were doing in Indy. To have control and command of every aspect of the game like he did, he was the most impressive I ever saw.”
While Brady and Manning had the pedigrees of blue-chip quarterbacks, Fitzpatrick was on a decidedly different path.
The Harvard alum became a cult hero among fans and observers while carving out a long career as a backup and occasional starter, peppering in a few notable upsets and some late-game (Fitz)magic along the way.
As a colorful character who later evolved into something of an elder statesman, Fitzpatrick seems likely to continue as a figure around the sport in one capacity or another.
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