Tyrod Taylor is now set to be Aaron Rodgers’ backup in 2024.
Taylor agreed to terms late Monday night on a two-year deal worth up to $18 million with the Jets, a source confirmed to the Daily News.
The veteran quarterback was the backup to Giants starting QB Daniel Jones for the last two seasons. Last year, Taylor, 34, started five games after Jones suffered multiple injuries during the 2023 campaign, including a torn ACL against the Raiders in November that ended his season.
Coincidentally, Taylor started for the injured Jones during the Oct. 29 game against the Jets. But he was knocked out of the game and taken to the hospital after an injury to his rib cage. He became the Giants’ starter again during the final two games of the season after Jones tore his ACL and local favorite Tommy DeVito struggled under center.
In 11 games and five starts for the Giants, Taylor passed for 1,341, five touchdowns against three interceptions. During his 13-year career, Taylor has played for the Ravens, Bills, Browns, Chargers and Texans. He has thrown for 12,135 yards, 65 touchdowns and 29 interceptions during that span.
A seasoned veteran, he is a significant upgrade at backup quarterback for the Jets. He is a sound decision-maker who has the football IQ to command almost any offense. Taylor also has a strong enough arm and is accurate enough to consistently get the ball to receivers.
The problem is Taylor has suffered several injuries during his time in the NFL. In addition to his rib injury with the Giants, Taylor also sustained a concussion in 2022. Because of Taylor’s extensive injury history, the Jets may need to add a third quarterback, possibly through the draft for insurance purposes.
After acquiring Rodgers, 40, with a trade with the Packers last April, the Jets decided to keep Zach Wilson as their backup quarterback.
That decision came back to haunt the Jets after Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tendon four plays into his Week 1 debut and missed the rest of the season. Wilson struggled and demonstrated the same mistakes he made when starting for the Jets two seasons prior.
That eventually led to Wilson’s benching during the Jets’ Week 11 loss to the Bills. However, Wilson returned as a starter for the Week 14 and 15 games against the Texans and Dolphins. Wilson then suffered a concussion during the second quarter against Miami and missed the season’s final three games against the Commanders, Browns, and Patriots.
The Jets finished 7-10 and missed the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season.
In 11 starts last year, Wilson passed for 2,271 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions. At the NFL Scouting Combine last month, Jets general manager Joe Douglas told reporters that he had given Wilson’s agent permission to seek a trade.
