Veteran journeyman and current Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick may have rejuvenated his NFL career and trajectory during his two-year tenure with the New York Jets in 2015-16. Both seasons with the AFC East franchise saw Fitzpatrick operate under offensive coordinator Chan Gailey.
But even then, the coach-and-player duo were already well acquainted, with Gailey having served as the Buffalo Bills' head coach from 2010 to 2012, while Fitzpatrick was their quarterback.
Now both Fitzpatrick, 37, and Gailey are reunited once again with the Dolphins, as the 68-year-old will serve as Miami head coach Brian Flores' offensive coordinator in 2020 following a four-year sabbatical from the NFL.
Fitzpatrick commented on his familiarity with the system in a video call with South Florida media (via Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post):
“[Gailey is] a guy that allows players to play to their strengths … He’s got an offense that is not very complicated to learn but very complicated for defenses, in the way it’s presented to them.
“Chan does a great job of utilizing different guys’ talents, to put them in a position to succeed, and not necessarily telling them there is a certain way to do it … But allowing them some freedom and flexibility, within certain constraints, to do the best job that they can.
Fitzpatrick added that Gailey has always been supportive of him:
“Chan was really the first guy that truly believed in me and gave me my shot as a starter … I’ve always wanted to prove him right and to play well for him. I think guys have always enjoyed playing for him, for that reason. I’ve got a ton of confidence and trust in him. And I know he feels the same way about me.”
Gailey now leads Fitzpatrick in the third of four AFC East teams the pair have been a part of during their respective careers.
It remains unclear how much Fitzpatrick will play in Gailey's offense for the Dolphins in 2020, however, after the South Beach team selected Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick in last month's draft. Still, though, Fitzpatrick will be the reliable vet on the sidelines for both Tagovailoa and Gailey, and a plug-and-play option under center should any injury or misfortune inflict the young QB.
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