Trust between Fitzpatrick and his receivers continues to grow

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s veteran presence seems to be paying off for the Washington Football Team, at least in the early stages of the 2021 season. The offseason repetitions between him and the team’s key offensive weapons appear to have established the beginnings of trust on the field. In Fitzpatrick’s post-practice presser with the media on Tuesday, he elaborated a little further about how he’s built up the trust factor with receiver Terry McLaurin and tight end Logan Thomas.

“Yeah, I mean, a lot of it is the work that we’ve put in on the practice field. A lot of it is it’s nice when you get into these games and you see the carry over. We hit those on air and then we hit them versus the defense in these competitive periods. And then all of a sudden you’re going against somebody else and the same good things are happening. So that carry over is nice, but that’s part of it’s due to experience from them and for me. A lot of it is due to the work we put out here. Those were probably the two best throws that highlight the fact that we’re feeling a little bit more comfortable on offense with each other.” – Fitzpatrick on his chemistry with WR Terry McLaurin and TE Logan Thomas.

For example, his over the middle throw to McLaurin last Thursday showcased the level of trust that you need to have between a quarterback and receiver:

“Well, some of that is hard to like put into words. I guess because it’s so second nature at this point, like making some of those throws. If you asked me how far I lead somebody when they’re running this way or running that way, full speed, I don’t even know you just I’ve done it for so long that it’s just second nature. But there is, you know, certain coverages are going to dictate where we’re going with the ball. On that play in particular, he’s also got to trust that I’m throwing them in there and I’m not throwing them into traffic. He’s going to be able to run through that ball and hopefully get out of the back end. Again, time and reps, but a lot of it just, we practice out here so much and throw so many of those balls that it just becomes second nature with me and with him and putting it in the right spot and knowing where he’s going to be.” – Fitzpatrick on his throw to McLaurin in the Patriots game last Thursday.

Head coach Ron Rivera has begun to notice the essential trust factor developing with Fitzpatrick and the receivers:

“I think what it is is it’s developing that trust and that rapport with the receivers, knowing that he’s going to get to where he needs to be. It is something that a veteran guy develops quickly and he learns to gauge a guys speed. He learns to gauge a guy’s ability to reach in terms of his length and that would help. That’s what helps him throw that, make that throw, plus he’s made it probably 25,000 times. So, it’s something that becomes innate after a period of time.” – Rivera on Fitzpatrick’s ability to throw the ball in exact spots on the field before receivers get there.

Nothing to this point has surprised Rivera. Fitzpatrick has come in and done everything that the head coach has expected of him, but more importantly, he’s continuing to establish himself as a leader for this offense and the younger players who need that guidance on the field.