Benched after just three games by a team that expressed optimism he would start throughout the season, Tyrod Taylor will naturally appear in trade rumors this month.
For now, though, the Browns’ backup quarterback isn’t demanding anything. Taylor acknowledged this could be a possibility going into the October 30 deadline.
“You never know. I mean, I’m well aware of all that,” Taylor said, via ESPNCleveland’s Tony Grossi, of the possibility he’ll ask the Browns to trade him to a quarterback-needy team. “I don’t necessarily put it on my thought process every day. I come out each and every day aiming to get better and trying to find things to work on in my game. We’ll see. That’s more of a question for my agent. We talk. I wouldn’t necessarily reveal that to the media.”
Taylor told Grossi he’s not angry about how quickly he was demoted for Baker Mayfield and is focused on trying to help the Browns. However, a trade would give him a better chance of further showcasing his abilities in a contract year.
As a starter for three seasons with the Bills, Taylor would profile as a player who could help a team. But it might take an injury to a starter for Taylor’s value to increase. While some teams don’t appear to be solidified long-term at this spot — the Broncos, Jaguars, Buccaneers, Giants or Dolphins perhaps — it’s difficult to envision one of those pulling the trigger on a trade for Taylor at this juncture. Still, with Drew Stanton also on Cleveland’s roster, Taylor makes sense as a trade piece — especially if the Browns in a few weeks don’t believe they’re a realistic playoff contender.
Any team that acquires the walk-year passer would have exclusive negotiating rights regarding an extension. The Saints’ trade for Teddy Bridgewater may serve as a blueprint for a team that’s intrigued by Taylor.
Although, Taylor did not play especially well during his three Browns starts. He completed less than 40 percent of his passes in two of Cleveland’s three games, the second such performance being shortened by injury. He averaged just 5.5 yards per attempt this season. During his 2015 Pro Bowl campaign, Taylor averaged 8.0 yards per pass, threw 20 touchdown passes, six interceptions and ran for 568 yards.
Anyone who saw his 3 games he did play would pass on him. There’s nothing to showcase….in 6 quarters baker scored 63 points with an offense you could only muster 39 points with in twice that much time.
Just stop pretending you’re starter quality Tyrod. Take backup roles when you can grab them, make enough money for your family to live well and move on. But you’re not fooling anyone anymore.
Perfectly said. He’s a great back up QB, can win a couple games on a good team if the starter goes down for couple weeks but not a #1 every week starter.
I knew Tyrod didn’t turn the ball over, but not throwing anything downfield more that 7 yards was getting extremely annoying to watch. Baker is the much better QB. It should be very obvious by now. Great comment, he’s a backup, a high end one. But a fringe bridge QB. Having a +5 turnover differential resulting in a tie and then that turnover in the 4th quarter against the saints was enough for me to see Baker…. then 4 for 17 against the Jets for 20 yards. Yuck! Seen enough!
Yea, never mind his 90 career passer rating, his 2.5:1 td:int ratio, 500 yards a year on the ground and the fact he had a winning record with one of the worst teams in the nfl, lets grade him on 2.5 games this season. Games in which, if they had a kicker, they’d have won. Baker is a god though, since he managed to almost beat an 0-3 team by completing half his passes. Too bad he turned it over FOUR times, more than Tyrod had over those awful 2.5 games.
So Drew Stanton is a better insurance policy than Taylor? If they actually believe that in Cleveland then any hopes of improvement are misplaced.
Based on talent, No. But a cheaper option than paying a backup $16MM.
Even with that $16MM on the books the Browns currently have more cap space than any team. Dumping Taylor in favor of Stanton doesn’t seem to make much sense under those conditions.
Send him to the Niners
Trade him and bring back Brogan Roback.