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NFL players can be measured in many different factors. Accolades, awards, jerseys hung up on the wall, social media followers, scars, you name it. There is one quarterback in the league that probably has one of the most tumultuous stories, filled with high peaks and deep valleys.
A long-time journeyman. A Pro-Bowler. A Super Bowl Champion. A Captain.
Tyrod Taylor
For every contract extension, Pro-Bowl nod, and opportunity to start for a franchise Taylor received, the double edged sword slashed him with injuries, trades, and unemployment.
Unfortunately for Tyrod Taylor, there is a theory that has been thrown around the past couple days that isn't pretty for him. Every team that lost Tyrod Taylor got their starting QB afterwards. The timeline behind this is wild.
The Tyrod Taylor Timeline
2011: Tyrod Taylor was drafted in the sixth round by the Baltimore Ravens
Served as Joe Flacco's backup from 2011-2014
Won a Super Bowl ring in 2012
Earned enough respect as a solid backup to earn a contract as a starter elsewhere.
Flacco remains the starter until 2018, until Lamar Jackson takes over.
Photo: Baltimore Ravens Archives
2015: Signs a 3-year deal with the Bills
Named the starter after beating out first round pick EJ Manuel and Veteran Matt Cassel.
Taylor finished the 2015 season completing 63.7 percent of his passes, while throwing for over 3,000 yards, with 20 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He added 568 rushing yards on the ground.
Replaced Cam Newton in the Pro-Bowl.
2016: Tyrod Taylor signed a six-year contract extension worth $92 million with the Bills.
Earned Pro-Bowl nod, but declined due to injury.
2017: Benched for Nathan Peterman, who later threw 5 interceptions in the first half.
Returned as the starter and went on to lead the Bills to the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
March 2018: Bills trade Tyrod Taylor to the Browns. Draft Josh Allen
Photo: NFL.com / Pro Bowl Archives
2018: Traded to the Browns for a third-round pick
Browns draft Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick
Browns committed to Taylor as their season starter
Taylor helped the Browns snap a 17-game losing streak dating back to 2016, but the game ended in a 21–21 tie.
Week 3: Injured during Thursday Night Football. Baker Mayfield steps in, winning the Browns first game. He remained the starter for the rest of the season.
Photo: Joe Robbins / Getty Images
2019: Signed a 2-yar deal with the Chargers
Serves as primary backup to Phillip Rivers
2020: Chargers draft Justin Herbert in the first round, Tyrod Taylor still starter
Week 1: Taylor completed 16 of 30 passes for 208 yards, beating the Bengals
Week 2: Chargers' team doctor accidentally punctured Taylor's lung while administering a painkiller injection prior to the game. Herbert starts, wins Rookie of the Year.
Photo: Jordan Heck / Getty Images
2021: Tyrod Taylor signs a 1-year deal with the Texans
Deshaun Watson remains inactive due to numerous sexual assault and misconduct allegations, Tyrod Taylor named starter
Week 1: Taylor finished 21-of-33 for 291 yards and two touchdowns along with 41 rushing yards, defeating the Jaguars
Week 2: Taylor suffered a hamstring injury in the first half and was replaced by rookie quarterback David Mills, who now is the starter while Taylor is on the IR.
Injuries derailed the once rising star, and this season looked like it was finally going his way. It's not certain when he will return from this hamstring injury, but all eyes are now on the Stanford prospect...David Mills.
One thing that makes this situation very interesting is the track record of rookie quarterbacks once they are named the starter post Tyrod Taylor.
Josh Allen
Pro Bowl, 2nd Team All-Pro, 6-year $258 million dollar deal
2,074 yards. 19 TD's, 12 INT. 631 yards rushing, 8 TD's.
Baker Mayfield
PFWA Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team
3,725 yards. 27 TD's, 14 INT.
Justin Herbert
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
4,336 yards. 31 TD's, 10 INT. 5 rushing TD's.
Yes, all of these teams had much more talent than what Mills in inheriting, but if the mitis touch is real with Tyrod Taylor, than David Mills is poised for a nice rookie season. Everyone is rooting for a speedy recovery for Tyrod Taylor, and hopefully this isn't the last page in his football book. This case study is still open, and we will find out if something is brewing for the Texans tonight.
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