Anthony Lynn says Tyrod Taylor is still Chargers’ starting QB

The Los Angeles Chargers used their first round pick on quarterback Justin Herbert, but he’s still going to have to wrestle the starting job away from his veteran competition.

Coach Anthony Lynn said Tyrod Taylor will enter camp as the team’s starting quarterback, and that Taylor has “earned that right” initially.

“We’re going into this thing: Day 1, Tyrod Taylor’s going to be starting it off,” Lynn said, via Albert Breer of The MMQB. “He’s earned that right. His teammates respect the hell out of him, he’s a leader on this football team. Our young quarterback’s gonna learn a lot from Tyrod Taylor. Tyrod Taylor’s one of the most respected players on our team, and he doesn’t say a whole lot either.

“[But] it’s a competition, bro. There’s a competition at every position, not just this one. I can’t just say Tyrod’s gonna be the starting quarterback for the whole year if this young man goes in there and wins the job.”

This is fairly standard operating procedure for a young quarterback. Herbert has to take the job away from Taylor, and it’s possible that will happen. Lynn has said all along that it’s possible for someone to take the job away from Taylor, and the Chargers didn’t spend a top ten pick on Herbert for him to sit on the bench forever.

Report: Tyrod Taylor could be long-term QB for Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers have maintained that Tyrod Taylor will get the first crack at the team’s starting quarterback job, and it certainly sounds like they may be prepared to stick with him long-term.

According to Peter King of Football Morning in America, Chargers coach Anthony Lynn is “legitimately bullish” on Taylor as a possible multi-year starter at quarterback. King does report, however, that there’s a belief that general manager Tom Telesco is a fan of top quarterback prospect Justin Herbert.

Lynn knows Taylor well, having worked together in Buffalo. It’s been maintained all along that Taylor has the inside track on starting, and Lynn pretty clearly believes that he has a legitimate starting quarterback on his hands. Taylor believes that as well.

The Chargers have been linked to the likes of Cam Newton, but at least at the moment, it doesn’t seem like a legitimate possibility and Taylor is the guy. If they add a quarterback, it seems more likely that they’ll do it in the draft, not free agency.

Tyrod Taylor not guaranteed Chargers starting QB job

The Los Angeles Chargers continue to be linked with veteran quarterbacks, and coach Anthony Lynn’s comments on Wednesday aren’t going to put a stop to that speculation.

Lynn admitted that Tyrod Taylor was the leading candidate to start, but that could change. He added that the team was continuing to look for other quarterbacks.

Anthony Lynn on Tyrod Taylor: "He’s in the driver's seat (to start), but nothing is finalized." #Chargers

— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) April 1, 2020

Anthony Lynn was asked if the team has interest in Cam Newton. Called him a good QB and added they're looking at everyone #Chargers

— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) April 1, 2020

The Chargers had been prepared to stick with Taylor, and he’s very confident in his ability to do the job. The longer Newton sticks on the market, though, the more tempting it must be for the Chargers to look into it. Lynn may ultimately stick with Taylor, but he’s certainly leaving himself a lot of room to go in a different direction.

Tyrod Taylor says Chargers will ‘turn a lot of heads’ if he is starting QB

The Los Angeles Chargers seem likely to stick with Tyrod Taylor as their starting quarterback heading into 2020, and the veteran is confident they won’t regret it.

The Chargers are entering a rebuilding phase of sorts now that they have moved on from Philip Rivers, and it would not be a surprise if they select a quarterback early in the draft. However, they still have plenty of talent on their roster, and Taylor is confident he can keep the team in contention if his number is called.

“I’ve spoken with our coaches,” Taylor told Gilbert Marzano of the Orange County Register on Sunday. “There hasn’t been anything that’s been directly told to me (about the starting job), but I guess through our conversations you get a hint of where the team is going as far as personnel, and like I said, I can’t control what moves would be made and I won’t look to control them. I’ll just continue to focus on bettering myself.”

“We have a lot of talent on our team. If I am the guy that would be calling the shots, I know for sure that we’ll go out and turn a lot of heads.”

Taylor said he is not concerned about the Chargers possibly adding a veteran quarterback or drafting one early, as those types of situations have served as motivation for him throughout his career. He noted that he has approached the situation the same way since he first came into the NFL and was a backup behind Joe Flacco.

If Taylor does end up starting in Week 1, he can be fairly certain he was not Plan A. It is no secret that the Chargers wanted to sign Tom Brady, and they have been mentioned as a possible fit for a former MVP who just came on the free agent market. Still, there are worse starting options than Taylor.

Report: Chargers to stick with Tyrod Taylor as starter in 2020

The Los Angeles Chargers took a look at quarterbacks, but they appear content to stick with what they have.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Chargers have no plans to pursue a veteran quarterback either via trade or free agency, and Tyrod Taylor will be the team’s starter.

With Tom Brady headed to the #Bucs, the #Chargers are not expected to sign or trade for a veteran QB, I’m told. They are moving forward with Tyrod Taylor for 2020.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2020

The Chargers have been tossed around as a possible destination for the likes of Cam Newton, but their failed pursuit of Brady looks like the only thing they will try to do. Coach Anthony Lynn worked with Taylor in Buffalo and clearly likes him. It’s a risk, but a calculated one given the uncertainty surrounding the other available quarterbacks.

Tyrod Taylor could start for Chargers in 2020, Anthony Lynn says

The Los Angeles Chargers and quarterback Philip Rivers “agreed to part ways” earlier this week, ending a 16-year run with Rivers leading the way — first in San Diego and then in L.A.

With Rivers now out the door, the Chargers will usher in a new era in 2020, including, quite obviously, a new starting quarterback. And while a first-round rookie or an experienced veteran are both possibilities, Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn believes there may also be a third option.

Lynn, who reportedly signed a contract extension on Thursday, told AM 570 LA Sports in Los Angeles that last year’s backup quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, could earning the starting job out of training camp.

“Tyrod Taylor is a heck of a quarterback,” Lynn said. “We couldn’t have a better backup right now, and now he has an opportunity to maybe step up into a starting role. I’ve had Tyrod before, and I know what this young man brings to the table, in the passing game and the running game.

“One of the things he does very well is take care of the football. I believe every year he’s started in this league he’s been the No. 1 quarterback in taking care of the football. I believe more games are lost than won. So if we can just take care of the football and take it away, we’ll be okay.”

Taylor, a sixth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft, signed a two-year deal with the Chargers last year after spending the 2018 season with the Cleveland Browns. He also called Buffalo home from 2015-2017.

In 70 career games (46 starts), Taylor has completed 61.6% of his passes for 9,562 yards, 54 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. A dual threat, he’s also gained 1,843 yards and scored 16 additional touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Tyrod Taylor agrees to sign with Chargers

Tyrod Taylor had been mentioned as one of the only potential starting quarterback options remaining on the free agent market this week, but the veteran has taken a job as a backup for the 2019 season.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Taylor has agreed to sign a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Source: The #Chargers agreed to terms with QB Tyrod Taylor on a 2-year deal.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2019

Taylor will serve as the primary backup to Philip Rivers, who proved last season that he is still capable of playing at a very high level. The most interesting aspect of the Taylor signing is how it impacts the Miami Dolphins.

The Dolphins have been expected to move on from Ryan Tannehill this offseason, but they have now seen three potential starting QBs — Taylor, Nick Foles and Teddy Bridgewater — sign elsewhere. A report earlier in the week claimed they were making Taylor one of their top targets, so you have to wonder if they will end up sticking with Tannehill, after all.