Fitzpatrick excited to work with Tua: 'I'm his biggest cheerleader'

This season, Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will face yet another challenger who's aiming for his starting job.

Though Fitzpatrick surprisingly led the Dolphins to five wins in 2019, Miami drafted his potential replacement in Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick in April.

Instead of going on the defensive, the 15-year veteran is welcoming Tua with open arms.

"I'm excited. I'm excited that they drafted him," Fitzpatrick said on former teammate Eric Wood's podcast, according to Safid Deen of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "I'm excited because I watched him play at Alabama and he looks like he's a pretty dynamic talent. Just in meeting him a few times, he seems like an unbelievable kid with a great head on his shoulders."

Fitzpatrick has faced competition for the starting QB job at almost all of his eight NFL stops. And while the 37-year-old is in Tagovailoa's corner, he acknowledged that the rookie's presence clouds his own NFL future.

"I'm his biggest cheerleader right now, but I also want to be out there playing," Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick added that he's always willing to share his years of NFL experience with first-year players.

"The other thing in bringing a new guy in that I always try and impress right away on these guys is: I am here," he said.

"Again, zero ego, I have so much knowledge. I've made so many mistakes in this league, in terms of dumb decisions and throws. I've learned how to prepare, I've learned so much about offenses and defenses and the way guys operate. Ask questions. Like, I'm an open book. Ask me whatever you want."