Tyrod Taylor has proven to be one of the NFL’s most reliable backup quarterbacks since entering the league in 2011.<\/p>\n
The veteran signal-caller has often lingered in the shadows during his professional career, known more for his professionalism and steadiness on the sideline than his on-field exploits.<\/p>\n
But there was a time when Taylor was a hot commodity around the league. At his peak, he was one of the league’s better passers, adept at both throwing precise passes to sprawling receivers and making plays with his legs.<\/p>\n
Taylor’s pinnacle wasn\u2019t the longest, but it was certainly memorable\u2014particularly to the fans who followed him during his time with the Bills.<\/p>\n
With that, here\u2019s a look back at Taylor’s lengthy and captivating NFL timeline.<\/p>\n
MORE:\u00a0Ranking the 15 greatest Bills players ever<\/a><\/p>\n Tyrod Taylor teams timelineBaltimore Ravens (2011-2014)<\/p>\n Taylor’s first NFL stop was Baltimore. The Ravens selected Taylor in the sixth round of the 2011 draft, hoping his exploits at Virginia Tech \u2014 where he landed ACC Player of the Year honors \u2014 would translate to the NFL.<\/p>\n Some scouts believed Taylor would be better suited to play at wide receiver in the next level. Baltimore gave him a chance under center, although he played sparingly across four seasons in Charm City, unable to displace starter Joe Flacco.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Sean McDermott career timeline<\/a><\/p>\n Taylor secured his first \u2014 and to date, only \u2014 Super Bowl ring in 2012, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after Flacco led Baltimore past the 49ers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Buffalo Bills (2015-2017)<\/p>\n Taylor signed a three-year, $3.35 million deal with the Bills ahead of the 2015 season. He wasn\u2019t necessarily expected to earn a starting gig right away, but after outshining EJ Manuel and Matt Cassel in training camp, Taylor was handed the reins of the offense.<\/p>\n He rewarded head coach Rex Ryan\u2019s faith by earning Pro Bowl honors, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns against just six interceptions. He also added 568 yards and four scores on the ground.<\/p>\n #OTD<\/a> in 2015, with LeSean McCoy out injured, Tyrod Taylor threw for 109 and a TD and ran for 76 yards, a new Bills record, including a 22-yard TD and a 24-yard scramble on third and 23 to lead the Buffalo Bills<\/a> to a come from behind 14-13 win over the Tennessee Titans<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/0hcVKfTxKp<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ThisDateInBuffaloSportsHistory (@BuffSportsHstry) October 11, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n Taylor summarily cashed in on us performances during the ensuing offseason. He inked a six-year, $92 million extension, simultaneously cementing himself as Buffalo’s starter for the foreseeable future. Taylor enjoyed another solid campaign in 2016, throwing for more than 3,023 yards and 17 touchdowns to six interceptions while amassing 580 yards and six touchdowns as a runner.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0When is the last time the Bills went to a Super Bowl?<\/a><\/p>\n Taylor’s steady showings weren’t enough to save Ryan’s job. The Bills disposed of him before the start of the 2017 season. Taylor kept his place under center in the meantime, helping lead Buffalo to a first postseason appearance since the turn of the century.<\/p>\n Cleveland Browns (2018)<\/p>\n On March 9, 2018, the Bills dealt Taylor to the Browns for a 2018 third-round pick. He was subsequently named Cleveland’s starter, eclipsing Baker Mayfield, who was selected first overall in the 2018 draft. Taylor started the first two games of the season, putting forth pedestrian tallies. In Week 3, he suffered an injury, opening the door for Mayfield to take hold of Cleveland’s attack.<\/p>\n Mayfield proceeded to capture Rookie of the Year honors, leading the Browns to the playoffs for the first time 2002.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Revisiting the Bills’ four consecutive Super Bowl appearances<\/a><\/p>\n Los Angeles Chargers (2019-2020)<\/p>\n Taylor inked a two-year, $11 million deal with the Chargers ahead of the 2019 season. He served as Philip Rivers’ backup for the 2019 season before being named starter ahead in 2020 over rookie Justin Herbert. Taylor suffered an injury two weeks into the season, setting the stage for Herbert to take charge of Los Angeles’ attack.<\/p>\n Houston Texans (2021)<\/p>\n Taylor agreed to a one-year contract with the Texans in March 2021. The deal took on greater importance amid Deshaun Watson\u2019s legal troubles. Taylor saw significant playing time in Watson\u2019s absence, but his performances were fairly unremarkable as Houston fell well short of a playoff berth. Davis Mills eventually supplanted him as the Texans\u2019 starter.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0How does NFL MVP voting work?<\/a><\/p>\n New York Giants (2022-2023)<\/p>\n Taylor agreed to a two-year, $11 million with the Giants in 2022. He served as Daniel Jones’ understudy throughout the 2022 season before staring five contests in 2023 after Jones missed time with injury. He threw for 1,341 yards and five touchdowns to three interceptions.<\/p>\n