What is the best landing spot for Tyrod Taylor?

By: Jake Rajala

The former Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl quarterback Tyrod Taylor enters free agency in 2022. Taylor surprisingly has a winning record of 26-25-1 in his career and he has unique rushing ability combined with modest arm strength.

Taylor started for the Bills in 2017 and led his squad to an 8-6 record. The dual-threat QB threw for 2,799 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and only ousted four interceptions. The former sixth-round draft pick also rushed for 427 yards and four touchdowns in 2017. He also helped the Bills mafia make the playoffs in 2017 for the first time in 17 years. Unfortunately, Taylor was knocked out of the playoff game from an injury (concussion) and the Bills lost 10-3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nathan Peterman, also not known as Nick Foles, couldn’t step in and lead the Bills to victory.

The cool story of Taylor leading the Bills to the AFC playoff gauntlet was short-lived as Taylor was traded to the Cleveland Browns in the 2018 offseason. The new Browns QB had flashed with the Browns in 2018 and went 1-1 in two starts for the Browns team. He had an impressive performance against the stingy New Orleans Saints. Taylor made a special throw on 4th and 5 with 1:24 left on the game clock, as he launched a 47-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Callaway. The problem was that a near career performance by Taylor in a very competitive game was neglected by the Browns field goal kicker Zane Gonzalez, who missed four field goals.

Taylor went to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2019 with hopes of learning the force behind Phillip Rivers. In 2020, Taylor had expectations to be the starting QB for the Chargers, but a Chargers doctor accidentally punctured Taylor’s lung. The story of Justin Herbert began as he replaced Taylor and never looked back.

The former Chargers QB would join the Houston Texans on a one-year deal in the 2021 offseason. It was clear that Taylor wanted a good opportunity to start for an NFL team and he saw that path with the Texans. Although, Taylor struggled to be a quality QB for the dreadful Texans squad. He went 2-4 as a starter, threw five touchdowns and five interceptions, accumulated 966 passing yards, and ran for 151 yards. The unique tale of Taylor has come to an interesting point in the 2022 offseason. He should have opportunities to start for a team in 2022, but the question is: which team will give the 32-year-old QB a chance? Well, here are a few potential suitors for the veteran QB.

Chicago Bears

I expect the second-year QB Justin Fields to compete with one or two other veteran signal-callers for the starting job this offseason. They have Nick Foles under contract, but they could cut ties with the expensive, underperforming 2023 free agent this offseason.

The Bears shouldn’t break the bank for a free agent QB, but it would make sense if they acquire a cheaper QB with starting potential. Taylor would be a good value deal for the Bears and he holds a similar skillset to Justin Fields. The Bears wouldn’t have to really alter the scheme if they switch from Fields to Taylor (or vice versa).

New York Jets

The New York Jets wouldn’t overly excite Justin Fields from a talent perspective, but he would have a good opportunity to start in the Big Apple. The Jets were so desperate for a veteran QB in 2021 that they traded for the washed-up QB Joe Flacco to return to New York.

Zach Wilson is certainly unproven, as he threw for 9 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and recorded a 69.7 passer rating in 2021. The Jets likely won’t attract Mitchell Trubisky or Jameis Winston, but they could find a diamond in the rough with Tyrod Taylor. The former Texans QB may not be thrilled to enter a similar rebuilding situation that he was in with the Texans, but the Jets (fifth in cap space) could tempt Taylor to make plays in a Jets uniform on a lucrative deal.

Arizona Cardinals

It appears there’s a real chance that Kyler Murray is traded from Arizona Cardinals this offseason. If the disgruntled Murray is traded from the Cards, I believe Taylor and Kliff Kingsbury are the perfect duo. I wouldn’t foresee the Cardinals getting one of the top QBs in round one in the 2022 draft. They could trade away Murray and receive a QB in return. Although, I don’t expect the Cards to wind up receiving a QB like Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, or Aaron Rodgers in a Kyler Murray trade.

The Cardinals could look to get a rookie QB, but I would expect the talented Cardinals to target a veteran QB that can help them return to the playoffs. Taylor would be an exciting fit for the Cardinals scheme, as he can make a lot of plays with his legs. Even if the Cardinals picked up Tua Tagovailoa in a trade or signed Jacoby Brissett in free agency, I believe that Taylor would still be very interested in signing a deal to compete for the starting gig in Arizona.

Carolina Panthers

I believe that the Carolina Panthers will target a QB in round one this offseason. I also believe they won’t break the bank for a free agent QB, as they still have the young Sam Darnold in the building. They could be fascinated about bringing in a free agent QB on a nice value deal. Tyrod Taylor may want to make a lot of money this offseason, but he could be intrigued about taking a smaller contract to potentially start in Carolina.

Taylor has a real chance to start over Sam Darnold (9 touchdowns, 13 interceptions) and a rookie QB in 2022. He would have serious firepower at his disposal with Christian McCaffrey, Robby Anderson, and DJ Moore. The two sides would be an ideal fit, but I wouldn’t expect Carolina to be his favorite destination in 2022.

Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders tried the Fitzmagic experiment in 2021 and it failed. The Commanders need to have their focus on drafting a QB early to compete with Taylor Heinicke/Tyrod Taylor 2.0 this offseason. Similar to CAR, the Commanders don’t have the dire need to break the bank for a QB in free agency. Nonetheless, they could use more security and talent at their QB position.

They likely wouldn’t offer Taylor a fancy deal, but he could be interested in joining them for a couple of reasons. The Commanders have talent surrounding the QB with Terry McLaurin, playmakers on defense with Chase Young and Montez Sweat, and he could have a good chance of beating Taylor Heinicke and a potential rookie in a QB competition. Ron Rivera brought in a free agent QB last offseason, but it could have been the wrong guy. They can bring a free agent QB with more juice and motivation in Taylor this offseason.

Honorable mention

San Francisco 49ers

Kyle Shanahan is expected to move forward with Trey Lance as the starting QB and it seems clear that Jimmy G will be traded this offseason. Lance has high expectations to start for SF, but he is far from a proven NFL QB. Shanny will likely add a proven veteran QB that’s cheaper than Garoppolo to be in the same QB room as the North Dakota State product. Taylor and Lance also carry a similar skillset, so that has to intrigue the 49ers genius head coach. I expect Taylor to have a harder time beating out Lance than a QB like Darnold or Heinicke, but he could love the idea of playing with Kyle Shanahan and even having a chance of starting for the 49ers at some point in the near future.