Packers finally sign veteran backup quarterback, and what led them to choose Tyrod Taylor over other options
Green Bay decided to add veteran Tyrod Taylor, who’s started 62 regular season games in the NFL. He’s now projected to be the main backup behind Jordan Love.
The Green Bay Packers didn’t want to enter training camp without a solid option as a backup quarterback. On Monday, the team solved that issue by signing veteran Tyrod Taylor, according to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. A 36-year-old player, Taylor has been in the NFL since 2011.
As a corresponding move, the Packers released Desmond Ridder.
Tyrod Taylor advanced stats in 2025
Veteran had an underwhelming season for the Jets
- 1.4% big-time throw rate
- 3.9% turnover-worthy play rate
- 9.3 average depth of target
- 19.7 pressure to sack ratio
- 3.24 time to throw
- 72.9 passer rating
What Tyrod Taylor brings to the table
Taylor has been around the league for a long time, and he offers a mix of experience and athleticism to create a safer situation behind Jordan Love. Because the Packers had to start a backup quarterback in each of the past two seasons, that was an obvious need.
The veteran quarterback started his NFL career on the Baltimore Ravens, where he won a Super Bowl behind Joe Flacco. Then, he had his first starting opportunities on the Buffalo Bills back in 2015. He’s also played for the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, New York Giants, and New York Jets — where he was in the past two seasons.
Last year, he started four games for the Jets, completing under 60% of his passes with a 72.9 passer rating, five touchdowns, and five interceptions. Throughout his NFL career, Taylor has had 2,424 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns, and that’s an element the Packers would want in their backup quarterback after a successful experience with Malik Willis.
Quarterback room
After signing Tyrod Taylor and cutting Ridder, the Packers still have four quarterbacks on the 90-man roster. Beyond Jordan Love, Taylor is perceived is the main backup. Green Bay also had Desmond Ridder, the previous top option as the backup, but decided to move on from him. The other options are Kyle McCord and undrafted rookie Kyron Drones.
Back in 2024, the Packers traded a seventh-round pick to acquire Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans. He was phenomenal when needed during his two years in Green Bay, which prompted an opportunity to sign a mid-term contract with the Miami Dolphins.
The Packers considered some options in the draft. In free agency, Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garoppolo were alternatives, but Cousins signed a bridge QB deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, while Garoppolo is leaning towards retirement.
The roster showed up recently for the first phase of the offseason program, and that might have been enough for the front office to create more urgency to address the position.
With the top options gone, the Packers turned to another veteran — an experienced and athletic one, even though his ceiling as a passer is limited. At least, the quarterback room has more clarity now.