Tyrod Taylor ready to be called on as backup QB if Jets need him to replace Aaron Rodgers
Tyrod Taylor of the Giants looks to make a play in the first half against the Commanders at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 22, 2023. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The signing of Tyrod Taylor didn’t receive nearly the hype that some of the other Jets’ moves have, but it could prove one of if not their most important one.
The Jets certainly hope not — that would mean Aaron Rodgers got injured again. But Taylor is a very good insurance policy, a proven backup quarterback who could step in if needed and lead the offense.
Taylor, 34, is comfortable with this role and ready for whatever is asked of him.
“I’ve always approached my job and the way that I go about my work is as if I’m a starter,” Taylor said Thursday. “That keeps me in it mentality as well as physically.
“There’s a lot of factors that play into the success that you have. One, going in there and getting the calls, but you have to be ready for it. I think in my career I’ve shown that when the opportunity presented itself that I’ve been able to go out and play at a high level.”
The Jets gave Taylor a two-year, $12 million deal. They could have used him last season after Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon in Week 1. Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian started games for the 7-10 Jets, who went into the offseason knowing they needed an upgrade behind Rodgers.
Taylor is 28-28-1 as a starter. He’s thrown for 12,135 yards with 65 touchdowns and 29 interceptions in 92 games. Taylor, who played the last two seasons with the Giants, hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2017 with Buffalo.
“It takes a special person to learn and still grow their game while not being able to get those physical reps,” Taylor said. “I’m looking forward to getting around the guys, learning different players that I’ve been fans of, supporting Aaron and at the same time staying ready for when the opportunity is called, if it is called.”
Taylor spent two seasons with the Chargers and was a teammate of new Jets receiver Mike Williams. Taylor called Williams “a freak athlete” and said he’s “a big fan” of his.
“I’ve seen him do some crazy things at practice as well as in games,” Taylor said. “You hear often in the league about 50-50 balls and we look at it for him like 80-20 because he came down with most of them.”
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Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, a first-round pick of San Francisco in 2020, said reuniting with his old defensive coordinator (Robert Saleh) and position coach (Aaron Whitecotton) were factors in signing with the Jets. "I always loved [Saleh's] energy and being around him," said Kinlaw, who got a one-year contract for $6.91 million guaranteed.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
