Meet Tyrod Taylor: The Jets quarterback likely to replace Aaron Rodgers

The Aaron Rodgers acquisition couldn’t have gone worse for the cursed New York Jets. After his first season was ruined by an Achilles injury, the second one just simply didn’t work out, no matter which staff member was fired. The Jets went 5-12, extending their playoff drought streak to 14 straight seasons.

Now, the Jets have informed Rodgers that they’ll be “moving in a different direction” at quarterback... again. So that leaves the question - what direction exactly is that?

Tyrod Taylor, the likely starting QB for the Jets

The Jets have some options at quarterback now. They can choose to fill Rodgers' starting spot with someone already on the roster, pick up someone new in the draft, or explore their options in free agency. The most likely contender at the moment is a quarterback already on the roster, and that’s Tyrod Taylor.

Who is Tyrod Taylor?

It feels odd to introduce Taylor as he’s a 14-year veteran in the NFL, but there’s a possibility you don’t know much about him. He has been a starter in the league before, but it’s been a while. His last start was seven seasons ago, in 2017 with the Buffalo Bills. He also comes with a history of injuries that’s a bit concerning.

However, the 35-year-old was brought on to be Rodgers' backup and he’s been known to do something Rodgers didn’t - take risks downfield. He’s well-liked in the locker room, making him a good choice for a potential leader. It also helps that Taylor’s contract is just $6.8 million for the 2025 season.

Through his 58 career starts, Taylor is 28-28-1 as a starting quarterback and 4-8 over the last three years. Back in 2017, Taylor led the Bills to the playoffs after a 17-year drought, before they traded up for Josh Allen in the draft the next year. He’s not the talent that Rodgers was, but he may be a better fit for the team. At least, right now.

Who else could the Jets consider at quarterback?

Also on the roster is Jordan Travis, but it would be highly unlikely the Jets would start him over Taylor. Still, his being on the roster makes him an option.

If the Jets go the route of free agency or trade, they have a few decent options. They could look to Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, or Jameis Winston. Of those options, Fields is likely to be the highest candidate since he’s one of the younger options and is likely to become available.

The Jets have the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which gives them some potential options there as well. They’d have to make some moves, but they could potentially snag Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. They could also potentially draft a quarterback with the intention to sit him behind a veteran for a few years while he develops the skills to be a starter. In that case, the Jets could potentially go with either Alabama’s Jalen Milroe or Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.