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.

Tyrod Taylor reportedly one of ‘top targets’ for Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are reportedly planning to either trade or release Ryan Tannehill in the near future, but they are quickly running out of replacement options for the quarterback. Next up on the list could be Tyrod Taylor.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Taylor is now one of the “top targets” for the Dolphins after Teddy Bridgewater opted to remain with the New Orleans Saints.

With Teddy Bridgewater expected to stay with the #Saints, one of the #Dolphins top targets is expected to be Tyrod Taylor, I’m told. That, and someone in the draft.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2019

Bridgewater is said to have turned down more money from Miami to remain with the Saints because he grew to love the locker room culture in New Orleans and believes he can one day become the starter there. With him now off the market and Nick Foles having agreed to a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Dolphins are apparently turning their attention toward Taylor.

It’s possible that Miami could decide to keep Tannehill, but it doesn’t sound like may teams across the league consider him a starting-caliber quarterback anymore. That said, you could certainly have a debate over whether or not Taylor would be an upgrade over Tannehill.

Tyrod Taylor mentioned as potential backup QB option for Ravens

Tyrod Taylor went from being the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback to a mostly forgotten man this season. He’s headed for free agency, and one of his old homes could be a potential landing spot for him, according to one reporter.

Jamison Henley, who covers the Ravens for ESPN, did a breakdown on why either Robert Griffin III or Taylor would make sense as a backup quarterback for Baltimore next season.

The thinking is that as a running quarterback, Lamar Jackson would be subjected to more hits than other QBs, which increases the importance of a good backup. Taylor certainly qualifies; he produced 65 touchdowns and just 21 turnovers over three seasons for the Buffalo Bills, taking them to the playoffs once. Additionally, Taylor was drafted by the Ravens and played for them from 2011-2014. He also succeeded under current Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman when the two were together in Buffalo.

Taylor would make plenty of sense for Baltimore, but the big question is whether he would want to sign with them as a backup. If he has a better chance at starting elsewhere, that might be more enticing. The Ravens are committed to Jackson as their starter and would want someone who understands that.

Tyrod Taylor ducks questions about potentially asking for trade

Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor isn’t actively requesting a trade, but he doesn’t sound like he’s particularly interested in trying to stay with the organization either.

On Wednesday, Taylor said all the right things about fulfilling his role as Cleveland’s backup, but when asked if he was thinking of asking for a trade before the Oct. 30 deadline, he didn’t exactly say no.

“Um, that’s my agent,” Taylor said, via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “I’m pretty sure things happen on a day-to-day basis that I’m not necessarily aware of. Like I said, my mindset is to continue to keep helping this team. It’s a new role for me. Continue to keep being the best teammate and the best leader I can be each and every day, while still working on my game and staying ready for the opportunity if it presents itself.”

Baker Mayfield replaced Taylor when the latter was concussed in Week 3, and when Mayfield rallied the team for its first victory since 2016, Taylor’s fate as the starter was sealed. The former Buffalo Bill is only signed through the end of the season, so his days in Cleveland are numbered either way.

Baker Mayfield makes NFL debut as Tyrod Taylor is checked for concussion

Baker Mayfield got his first taste of NFL action during Thursday night’s Cleveland Browns-New York Jets game because of a head injury to Tyrod Taylor.

Taylor hit his head on the turf late in the second quarter as the Browns were trailing 14-0. He was taken into the medical tent on the field and was being evaluated for a possible concussion, according to NFL Network. Taylor was later taken into the locker room for further evaluation.

Taylor was struggling in the game at that time, with many fans chanting for Mayfield to enter the game. Taylor was just 4/14 for 19 yards before exiting.

Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, came on in the Browns’ final drive of the half and immediately completed his first three passes. He went 3/4 for 47 yards on the drive, leading the team to a field goal.

Tyrod Taylor has dislocated pinky, bruised hand

Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s non-throwing hand is a bit of a mess, but the issue does not sound series.

Coach Hue Jackson confirmed reports Friday that Taylor has a dislocated pinky on his non-throwing hand. That hand is also bruised, but Jackson did not sound particularly concerned about Taylor’s health going forward.

Tyrod Taylor dealing with a dislocated pinky on non-throwing hand. The hand is also bruised, sore, "but he's going to be fine," Hue Jackson says.

— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) August 24, 2018

Taylor gave the Browns quite the scare on Thursday when he went down during the team’s preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles and initially looked to be fairly seriously hurt. It’s quite clear that things aren’t as serious as they first appeared, which is good news, considering Taylor’s heir apparent looked rather shaky after replacing him.

Report: Tyrod Taylor suffered dislocated finger

Tyrod Taylor was able to return to Thursday night’s preseason game despite having an injury scare in the first quarter, and it sounds like the injury he suffered was painful even if minor.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Taylor suffered a dislocated pinky finger on his left hand when he landed awkwardly on it.

#Browns QB Tyrod Taylor’s injury to his left hand vs. the #Eagles was minor enough that he returned to the game, but source said it did include a dislocated pinky. Not major but still, ouch.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 24, 2018

Taylor immediately clutched his arm after the play, and the the way his hand bent back made it seem like he suffered some sort of wrist injury. However, it was safe to assume the quarterback avoided any ligament damage or worse when the Browns let him return to the game — especially in the preseason.

Between Rapoport’s report and the encouraging update Taylor gave on Friday, Browns fans have nothing to worry about in advance of Week 1.