Jets reportedly signing QB Tyrod Taylor, providing offense with capable backup to Aaron Rodgers
The New York Jets are reportedly signing veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor to a two-year deal worth up to $18 million, providing the offense with a capable backup to Aaron Rodgers.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the transaction Monday night. Guaranteed money was not initially reported.
The acquisition of Taylor, 34, arrives after after a lost season for the Jets with Zach Wilson as their primary quarterback. Rodgers went down with a season-ending Achilles tear on New York's first drive of the season, leaving the Jets to scramble at the position after trading for the four-time MVP the previous offseason.
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The Jets' offense floundered as Wilson, Trevor Siemian and Tim Boyle took turns as New York's starter in Rodgers' stead. None of them produced at a starting-caliber level.
Wilson continued to struggle in this third NFL season after being selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2021 draft. In 12 appearances including 11 starts, Wilson completed 60.1% of his passes for 189.3 yards per game with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Collectively, New York's quarterbacks combined to lead the NFL's 31st-ranked offense on a team featuring high-end young weapons like running back Breece Hall and reigning Rookie of the Year wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Only the Carolina Panthers offense with struggling rookie Bryce Young at quarterback fared worse last season.
Jets management refused to make an in-season move at quarterback despite having an elite defense and a team that was built to win now outside of the glaring hole at quarterback in Rodgers' absence. New York finished third place in the AFC East at 7-10.
The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, made an in-season acquisition of veteran Joe Flacco after the season-ending injury to quarterback Deshaun Watson. Flacco helped propel the Browns to a 4-1 record as starter and a playoff berth. Cleveland's success made New York's inaction at the position that much more glaring.
Now the Jets have a proven NFL quarterback in Taylor as their backup. With a 40-year-old Rodgers coming off an Achilles tear, there's a good chance they'll need to employ him next season.
In 13 seasons, Taylor's made 58 starts while producing an 88.3 career passer rating with 65 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. He made a Pro Bowl with the Buffalo Bills in 2015. He's spent the last two seasons backing up Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, making five starts last season.
Meanwhile, Wilson's future with the Jet is unclear as the offseason begins in earnest this week with the official start of free agency on Wednesday.
