The Green Bay Packers signed veteran backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor on Monday. They also released Desmond Ridder who was considered the favorite to back up Jordan Love until the Taylor signing. Taylor will now compete with Kyle McCord to be the backup to Love once training camp opens in July. Today we examine what Tyrod Taylor brings to the Packers offense.

What Tyrod Taylor Brings to the Packers Offense: His Career So Far

Taylor certainly brings experience to the Packers quarterback room. He’s been in the NFL for 15 seasons since the Ravens selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. The Virginia Tech alum has played for seven different teams during his career and primarily been considered a reliable backup quarterback.

Taylor started 62 games in his career and has a record of 29-31-1 in those starts. He has completed 61.8 percent of his passes and thrown 73 touchdowns and 34 interceptions. His career quarterback rating is 87.7.

Most of Taylor’s starts came with the Buffalo Bills between 2015-2017. He even earned Pro Bowl honors in 2015 when he threw a career-high 20 touchdown passes against just six interceptions.

Taylor spent the last two seasons with the New York Jets. In 2025, he started four games while appearing in six. He completed 59.7 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and five interceptions while playing for a struggling Jets team.

What Brian Gutekunst Said

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst explained why he signed Taylor. He will replace Malik Willis who signed as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins after providing the Packers with two outstanding seasons as Love’s backup in 2024 and 2025.

Love has several games in each of the last two seasons due to injuries. In 2024, he was injured during the season opener in Brazil on a slippery field.

“It’s a really important thing for us,” Gutekunst told reporters after the draft. “Jordan, the last two years has missed some time, and we’ve needed somebody to come in there and play at a high level to help us win those games. So, whoever’s called upon we’re going to expect that and when you lose a guy like Malik, it is something you’re going to have to replace and we’re going to try to do that.”

With Taylor, the Packers have a quarterback who has a proven track record as a backup quarterback who can step in and win a game or two when the starter is unavailable over the short term.

Taylor now becomes the oldest player on the Packers roster. Taylor will turn 37 in August. Kicker Brandon McManus now becomes the second oldest player on the roster at 34.

What Tyrod Taylor Brings to the Packers Offense: Tyrod Taylor’s Skill Set

Taylor remains a mobile quarterback, even at this late stage of his career. Last season with the Jets, he ran 27 times for 143 yards and a touchdown. But Taylor’s ability to evade oncoming pass rushers and to buy time to throw is more important than his ability to gain substantial yardage with his legs.

Taylor’s arm strength is adequate for an NFL quarterback. His accuracy is solid but not spectacular. Taylor remains competitive and a leader in the locker room.

One issue that has held back Taylor throughout his career is his height. He is listed at 6’1” officially. As a result of his lack of height, Taylor has more passes knocked down at the line of scrimmage than many other NFL quarterbacks. His mobility does offset this to a degree.

Overall, Taylor gives the Packers a reliable if unspectacular backup quarterback. He adds experience, toughness, and leadership. His ability to evade the rush and extend plays helps balance some of the other aspects of his game.

Taylor will give the Packers a short-term upgrade at backup quarterback until they can draft or sign a younger player to fill that role. Barring injury or a big surprise during preseason and training camp, expect Taylor to be the backup quarterback with McCord likely to end up on the practice squad.

 

 

 

 

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