Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor is heading to Green Bay.
The veteran quarterback is signing with the Green Bay Packers to serve as Jordan Love’s backup, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported. The move fills the void left by Malik Willis, who departed in free agency for the Miami Dolphins on a three-year, $67.5 million deal.
For Browns fans, Taylor is a familiar name. Cleveland acquired him from the Buffalo Bills in March 2018 for a third-round pick, installing him as the starting quarterback ahead of that year’s No. 1 overall selection, Baker Mayfield.
Taylor started the first three games of that season before suffering a concussion on Thursday Night Football against the New York Jets in Week 3. Mayfield entered, won the game, and never relinquished the job. Taylor appeared in just one more game before his one-year tenure in Cleveland ended. In all, Taylor threw for 473 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in a Browns jersey.
Despite the short stay, Taylor left a positive impression.
“I think people took Tyrod for granted,” Mayfield said. “He is an extremely good leader. His work ethic alone, his routine and being the same guy every day for every single person in the building, it is a tremendous way of showing his leadership. I am very thankful to have stepped into a QB room with Tyrod.”
Tyrod Taylor Has Made a Living as Capable Backup
Now 36 years old, Taylor arrives in Green Bay as one of the most experienced backup quarterbacks available. Over a 15-year NFL career spanning seven franchises — Baltimore, Buffalo, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Houston, Giants, and Jets — he has appeared in 100 games and made 62 starts, posting a 29-31-1 record and an 87.7 career passer rating.
His most recent stop was with the Jets, where he appeared in eight games over two seasons, passing for 898 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also added 156 rushing yards on 30 carries. Taylor has not started more than six games in a season since 2017, and a groin injury cut short his 2025 season after just three starts.
As a corresponding move, the Packers released Desmond Ridder, who had been the previous top option for the backup role. Green Bay still has quarterbacks Kyle McCord and undrafted rookie Kyron Drones on its 90-man roster.
Browns Not in Market for Veteran QB
The Browns were not in the market for a veteran passer like Taylor. After the draft, Cleveland has four quarterbacks on its roster — Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green.
The Browns typically keep four quarterbacks on their roster for offseason workouts and the preseason. They plan to move forward with that group.
“We do believe in keeping three on the active roster and ideally a fourth on the practice squad. But it’s an important position. There is attrition throughout the year. And I think the other element is it’s never a problem to have too many good players,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said after the draft. “Sometimes it’s not a linear path in terms of how they positively impact the roster of the organization.”
Watson appears to be the frontrunner for the job currently, although Sanders is still firmly in the mix.
Ex-Browns QB Signs With NFC Contender