The Chargers recently indicated they will not be re-signing Philip Rivers, and they have been heavily connected to free agent-to-be Tom Brady. But while it may not be the splashiest move, it sounds as if the Bolts may simply roll with Tyrod Taylor as their starter in 2020.
Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link), the Chargers are comfortable with Taylor as a bridge option to a rookie signal-caller. The team is armed with the No. 6 overall pick in the draft, and they could have a few promising prospects fall to them if they don’t elect to trade up. Indeed, the Chargers are said to be high on Utah State QB Jordan Love, who will most likely still be available when LA is on the clock.
Taylor, who will turn 31 in August, is a capable passer who generally takes care of the football and who can make plays with his legs. Given the overall talent on the Chargers’ roster, that might be all they need to get back into the playoffs in 2020. Taylor’s leadership and experience would also be beneficial to a young QB, and head coach Anthony Lynn is very high on him.
“Tyrod Taylor is a heck of a quarterback,” Lynn recently said in a radio interview (h/t Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com). “We couldn’t have a better backup right now, and now he has an opportunity to maybe step up into a starting role.”
Taylor is under contract through 2020, though the Chargers could part ways with him and save $5MM of cap space by doing so. Speculatively, the Chargers could pursue Brady, and if they land him, they can cut Taylor and still select the quarterback of the future in the draft. If they can’t get Brady, than Taylor is still a serviceable fallback option and may be just as good as the other signal-callers that might be available on the free agent or trade markets.
Justin Herbert is so much better and should be available
Love the way the Spanos family treated a player who has been loyal to them … also find it ironic that Manning … Rivers … Brees – all of whom were innertwined into Chargers history are all on the market simultaneously.
Manning retired, Brees says hes playing another year.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I think I saw somewhere where if you throw Rothlisberger in that mix was the first time in 10 years one of those guys was not in a Super Bowl?
Nah. Ravens v 49ers in 2012.
Seahawks v broncos 2014
Broncos v panthers 2016
Ravens vs 49ers is the only time in the last 10-15? years that the AFC QB wasn’t either Peyton, Big Ben, or Brady
The manning the previous poster was referring to was Eli…unless Peyton was somehow connected to the Chargers…
I think the Pats target either Herbert or Love for their future
I mean I wouldn’t pass on Jeudy.