The New York Jets’ optimism took a hit the past season when Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in his debut game. Zach Wilson filled in for Rodgers throughout the season but failed to bring wins for them. The Jets are now ready to rectify their previous misstep by signing Tyrod Taylor in a calculated deal.
Taylor is now vying to learn and refine his quarterbacking skills from the seasoned veteran of 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, positioning himself as the ideal understudy for Rodgers.
Tyrod Taylor talks about backup QB position
Being the backup of a four-time MVP that Tyrod Taylor understands very well. Taylor himself acknowledged the challenges that come with the role during an interview. Nevertheless, the quarterback shared the importance of maintaining a mindset of readiness and preparation, even when not getting on-field reps during games.
“It’s challenging. I think it takes a special person to be able to learn in this league without getting the reps. I think last year some scenarios played out for some guys and some didn’t.”
Moreover, Taylor shared a highly focused mentality and was diligent during the interview. He shared that he approaches each day with the mentality of a starter, ensuring that he is ready to step in and perform at a high level whenever called upon.
“I think that keeps me in it mentally as well as physically. I still train each and every day as if I’m training to be able to go out and perform at a high level on Sundays,” he said, as per the NY Post.
The New York Jets concluded a tumultuous season with a disappointing 7-10 record, marking another year without a playoff appearance. Adding a seasoned veteran like Tyrod Taylor to their ranks could prove to be a significant boost for the Jets.
He has previously demonstrated his skill and leadership on the field, notably with the New York Giants. In a historic moment, he became the first black quarterback to secure a victory for the Giants in their nearly century-long history. Following his groundbreaking win with the Giants, the 34-year-old player earned the opportunity to step into the starting role for another game, replacing rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito.
Tyrod Taylor Jets contract details
The Jets made a significant move in their offseason roster overhaul by signing veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor to a two-year contract. The deal is worth a total of $12 million, including a signing bonus of $4 million and an average salary of $6 million per year. His contract also features substantial guarantees, with $8.5 million fully guaranteed at signing.
In addition to the guaranteed money, the Jets’ backup quarterback has the opportunity to earn up to $6 million in incentives over the course of his two-year tenure with the Jets. This arrangement provides both security and motivation for the experienced quarterback as he embarks on this new chapter of his career in New York.
With regards to the contract’s structure, Taylor’s deal includes three void years. As a result, his cap hit for the 2024 season is reduced to $2.8 million.
It will remain to be seen how well he translates the Jets’ belief in him sitting in the backside of Rodgers.
