Jets Rumors: Giants FA Tyrod Taylor to Sign 2-Year Contract to Back Up Aaron Rodgers

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMarch 12, 2024

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Free agent quarterback Tyrod Taylor has agreed to sign with the New York Jets, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The contract with the Jets is a two-year deal, per CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson.

The former Virginia Tech star has been in the NFL since 2011, when the Baltimore Ravens selected him with a sixth-round draft choice. He served as Joe Flacco’s backup for four years before moving on to the Buffalo Bills in free agency in 2015.

Taylor started for three seasons in Buffalo, throwing for 51 touchdowns and just 16 interceptions in 44 games. He also rushed for 1,575 yards and 14 scores during that span.

Taylor most notably served as the Bills’ QB1 in 2017, when Buffalo made the playoffs for the first time in 18 seasons.

The Buffalo stint was the last time Taylor served as a full-time starter. He then bounced around the NFL, playing for the Cleveland Browns (2018), Los Angeles Chargers (2019 and 2020) and Houston Texans (2021) before landing with the New York Giants as Daniel Jones’ backup in 2022 on a two-year deal.

Taylor didn’t see the field much in 2022 but saw plenty of action in 2023 as Jones dealt with a neck injury before later suffering a torn ACL.

Taylor completed 116-of-180 passes (64.3 percent) for five touchdowns (three interceptions) and 1,341 yards (7.5 YPA) over 11 games (five starts) in 2023. He also rushed for 197 yards on 38 carries (5.2 Y/A).

Taylor missed some time with four broken ribs (two displaced), suffered against the Jets on Oct. 29. When he came back, he fell behind overnight sensation Tommy DeVito on Big Blue’s depth chart. Taylor got his job back, though, when head coach Brian Daboll felt the need to make a switch.

He finished the year strong, throwing for 319 yards against the playoff-bound Los Angeles Rams before tossing for 297 more in a 27-10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles to close the year.

Ultimately, Taylor is one of the NFL’s top backup quarterbacks, easily capable of providing competent play when called upon. He’s a dual threat who can find his receivers downfield with ease, and he’s also remarkably stout at preventing turnovers. Per Pro Football Reference, only 1.7 percent of his pass attempts have resulted in picks.

So the Jets are getting a very solid QB2 here as they strengthen the back end of their quarterback depth chart.