Former Giants QB Tyrod Taylor praises Jets for “refreshing energy”

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor will still be on the field at MetLife Stadium this season, but he will wear different colors after two seasons with the New York Giants as a replacement for Daniel Jones.

Taylor, who started five times and made 11 appearances for the Giants and led the team in passing with 1,341 yards last season, signed with the Jets in the offseason to serve as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.

While both teams have had a difficult 2023 season, Taylor seemed reborn after joining the Jets.

“This isn’t meant to be disrespectful to the Giants or anything, but when I came here and was with the guys in Phase 1, it freshened the energy in the locker room. It’s just different on the field,” Taylor said. according to the Jets website.

“I’ve been on a few different teams and had the chance to try this out for a few different teams. I think we’re in a good position,” he added.

The Jets have certainly been in the news more often than the Giants lately, largely due to Rodgers, whom they signed in a trade with the Green Bay Packers last offseason.

There were hopes that Rodgers would be the missing ingredient to lead the Jets to their first Super Bowl since 1969, but those hopes were dashed within minutes of the opening game of the 2023 regular season when Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon and was out for the rest of the year.

Recently, the Jets were in the news again because of Rodgers, who missed the team’s mandatory minicamp due to pre-planned trip to Egyptwhich, according to head coach Robert Saleh, was an unexcused absence.

Despite the headlines Rodgers made, Taylor still drew a positive conclusion about his new employer.

“A lot of talent at every position,” Taylor told reporters at minicamp. “A very talented roster and the guys are just fun to be around. And it’s great to be around a great coaching staff in the locker room.”

Taylor is entering his 14th year in the NFL, an accomplishment for any player. Taylor was a consummate walk-on who began his career as a backup with the Baltimore Ravens before playing in Buffalo for what would prove to be the most memorable season of his career.

Taylor was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015, when he threw for 3,035 yards and 20 touchdowns with six interceptions. He led the Bills to the playoffs in 2017. Taylor moved between Cleveland, the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston before joining the Giants in 2021.

Taylor has now played for each of the three “New York” teams – the Bills, Giants and Jets (the last two are in New Jersey, of course). Taylor will be a competent replacement for Rodgers. He has a 28-28-1 record as a starter and has thrown a solid 65 touchdowns to 29 interceptions.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen said in his 2023 press conference that the team had not ruled out re-signing Taylor. When that didn’t happen, New York signed Drew Lock, who most recently played with the Seattle Seahawks, to replace starter Daniel Jones.