Veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw his support behind Justin Fields as starter for the New York Jets.
“We’ve been good friends throughout his time in the league as well,” Taylor said of Fields. “So I’m here to support and help the team win in any form or fashion, whether it’s me on the field or whether it’s me being able to shed some light and experience and coach guys through, whether it’s in the quarterback room or any other position. Any knowledge or experience that I could offer to the younger guys that helps the team win, at the end of the day, is what I’m here to do. I’m looking forward to doing that.”
The Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract in March. A former first-round pick of the Chicago Bears, Fields showed promise as a dual-threat quarterback but struggled to find success behind poor offensive line play. Fields was eventually replaced in the 2024 Draft by first overall pick Caleb Williams; he was subsequently traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he competed with Russell Wilson for the starting job. Wilson spent the first six weeks of the season on the injury list, so Fields started in his place. He did not have outstanding stats, throwing for just 1,106 yards and five touchdowns with one interception, and adding 289 rushing yards and five TDs. However, he had a career high in completion percentage (65.8) and passer rating (93.3), was sacked only 16 times, and posted a 4-2 record, including three straight wins.
Jets general manager Darren Mougey declared Fields the starter in April.
“We believe in Justin, we believe we can win with Justin, so we’re excited about Justin’s potential,” Mougey said.
Taylor had a quiet season in 2024. He appeared in just two games with no starts; he completed 17 of 22 passes for 119 yards and 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. He rushed three times for 13 yards.
Taylor was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He spent the first four seasons of his career as a backup to Joe Flacco, appearing in 14 games. He won Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens in 2012. He signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2015 and was their starting quarterback for three seasons. He has since bounced around the league, spending time with the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and New York Giants.
Taylor has also been something of a good luck charm to teams in need of a franchise quarterback, at least coincidentally. In four of his last five stops, Taylor has been replaced in-season or shortly after his departure by a young quarterback who found success quickly.
The Bills traded Taylor to the Browns at the start of the 2018 season; Buffalo then drafted Josh Allen with the seventh overall pick in that year’s draft. Allen has gone on to win 2 All-Pro selections, 3 Pro Bowls, and the 2024 NFL MVP.
Cleveland drafted Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick. Taylor was named the season starter, but went down with injury and was replaced by Mayfield, who led the Browns to the playoffs in 2020—the first time since 2002.
Taylor signed with the Chargers in 2019. When Philip Rivers retired in 2020, Taylor won the starting job over first-round draftee Justin Herbert. But Taylor was hospitalized two weeks into the season after a freak accident caused a punctured lung; Herbert started the rest of the season and won Offensive Rookie of the Year.
He signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2021 and started 6 games before again going down to injury. He was replaced by rookie Davis Mills. Two years later, in 2023, the Texans drafted C.J. Stroud, who won a Pro Bowl nod and Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Despite being the backup, Taylor said he is determined to prepare like the starter.
“Whether I did or whether I didn’t [get the opportunity to start], my mindset and the way I condition myself to get ready for a season since my rookie year has been [to] approach each and every day as if you’re the starter,” he told ESPN. “As a quarterback, you’re an opportunity away, so you want to be well prepared for that opportunity.”
