The Green Bay Packers are signing veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor, NFL Network reports.
Taylor will presumably take over the backup job behind Jordan Love following the offseason departure of Malik Willis. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Packers are releasing QB Desmond Ridder.
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Taylor, 36, is a 15-season NFL veteran who most recently played two seasons with the New York Jets. He’s long been one of the NFL’s most reliable backup quarterbacks. He’ll provide stability at the position in Green Bay following Willis’ departure to Miami to become the Dolphins’ starting quarterback.
Tyrod Taylor projects to step in as Green Bay’s backup quarterback behind Jordan Love.
(Cooper Neill via Getty Images)
Prior to Taylor’s arrival, Ridder and Kyle McCord were in line to compete for the No. 2 quarterback position.
The Packers signed Ridder to their practice squad late last season, and he joined the roster as the No. 3 quarterback for the playoffs. McCord was a sixth-round selection by the Eagles last season who spent his rookie year on Philadelphia’s practice squad.
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Neither was the clear No. 2, prompting speculation that Green Bay might target a backup quarterback in the draft. But the Packers didn’t draft a quarterback, leaving them without a clear-cut backup.
Taylor now fills that void. He has been one of the NFL’s most active backup quarterbacks over the course of a career that also included three years as a starter for the Buffalo Bills. Taylor has played in 100 NFL games, including 62 starts.
Love has missed two games in each of the last two NFL seasons. The Packers are seeking to build on three straight playoff appearances that have fallen short of the NFC championship game. Green Bay has lost in the wild-card round in each of the last two seasons.