Another one is off the board.
New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor has signed a deal with the Green Bay Packers following the 2026 NFL draft.
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero was first on the news. “A new No. 2 in Green Bay,” he added.
A new No. 2 in Green Bay.
Taylor’s Run With the Jets Comes to an End
The former Virginia Tech product first joined the Jets in 2024. He signed a two-year, $12 million contract in free agency.
Across his two seasons with the team, Taylor appeared in eight games, made four starts, and had a 1-3 record as a starting quarterback. With those opportunities, he completed 62.2% of his passes, threw for 898 passing yards, and had a eight touchdown to five interception ratio.
Taylor also toted the rock 30 times for 156 rushing yards, and he scored one rushing touchdown.
Top Social Media Reactions to Taylor Ditching Jets in Free Agency
“It had become apparent in recent weeks that a Taylor-Jets reunion wasn’t in the cards. Taylor continues his long football journey in GB,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini posted.
“It never felt like he would be back with the Jets this offseason. Now Tyrod heads to Green Bay,” Brian Costello of the New York Post wrote.
“Tyrod’s 4-year stay in New York is over. Jets still need a better QB2 than Brady Cook,” Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post said.
Taylor told ESPN New York’s Jake Asman earlier this offseason that he would love to return to the team this offseason. Apparently, the feeling wasn’t mutual.
It Was Time to Make a Change
Taylor, on paper, is a perfect backup quarterback.
He has been around the game forever. Taylor entered the league as the No. 180 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He carved out a role and found a way to have a long, successful NFL career.
However, he has struggled to stay on the field. That is a problem in general, regardless of what your role is in the league, but that is a critically important factor when you serve as a QB2.
A backup quarterback’s best ability is reliability. It is difficult to be reliable when you’re rarely available.
Days into training camp this past year, it was announced that Taylor underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee and would be out for the preseason. Just like that, your reliable QB2 was out of action. Injuries continued to plague Taylor throughout the season.
Jets QB2 Search Continues On
With Taylor officially off the board, that takes another potential name away from the Jets’ QB2 search.
The names are dwindling on the veteran quarterback market. General manager Darren Mougey said they would reevaluate the marketplace post-NFL draft.
Well, he’d better do that a little quicker, or else every viable veteran will already be accounted for. The Jets have Geno Smith as the QB1, but they lack experience in the room behind him.
Last week, the green and white hosted former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson on a free agent visit. Wilson is also pondering retirement and a potential move into TV as an NFL analyst this offseason.
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