Taylor brings more than depth to the quarterback’s room for the Giants. His skill set and resume is enough for fans to wonder when, not if, he’ll replace Daniel Jones.
The current starting quarterback for the Giants may or may not be on borrowed time as QB1 on the depth chart.
In April, when the Giants decided not to pick up the fifth-year option for Daniel Jones, it wasn’t a surprise to the fan base.
Meanwhile, the signing of Tyrod Taylor in March to a two-year, $11 million deal has incentives which could bring its worth to $17 million. That’s a substantial investment for a backup quarterback.
There’s good reason for it.
Anyone watching the Giants in recent seasons saw there was an obvious need for an upgrade at QB2. With Jones, availability has not been one of his stronger qualities as an NFL quarterback.
Last season, in games Jones missed, Mike Glennon and Jake Fromm were a combined 0-6.
If it’s just about the injury history for Jones, he has yet to play a full season in his career, the Giants are more than justified in making sure there’s peace of mind in their quarterback’s room.
But inconsistent play has also plagued Jones throughout his NFL career. His struggles with taking care of the football have overshadowed his talent. For every one step forward, there’s been two steps backwards.
Taylor brings more than depth to the table. He’s a legitimate NFL starting quarterback. Teams can win football games with Taylor in the huddle.
What does Taylor brings to the table?
He takes care of the football.
Jones, with 29 interceptions and 20 lost fumbles, has done more in his first three seasons to hurt his credibility as an NFL starting quarterback than help it. That’s just the bottom line of it.
Taylor — in stints with Baltimore, Buffalo, Cleveland, the Chargers and Houston — has played in 78 regular season games. 53 of those games was as a starter, mostly with Buffalo (43 starts).
With Taylor, there’s mobility, a live arm, and a veteran quarterback that knows how to take care of the football. He’s thrown just 25 interceptions and lost just five fumbles.
Looking ahead
With Tyrod Taylor on the sidelines ready to come in when called, the pressure’s on Daniel Jones to win football games.
For Jones, it’s not just about holding off Taylor — a veteran quarterback good enough to take his job — it’s also about showing the NFL he’s a legitimate starting quarterback.
With a new general manager and head coach calling the shots, Jones is playing for his Giants’ career.
If he’s the starting quarterback he thinks he is, this will be the season he proves it.
But for the fan base, if Friday night’s preseason opener was any indication, the margin for error will be slim to none for Jones.
First, the addition of Taylor, then deciding not to pick up Jones’ fifth-year option.. the writing is on the wall.
It’s sink or swim time. The Giants want to see convincing results this season from Daniel Jones he’s their long-term answer at quarterback.
And just in case, with Tyrod Taylor, there’s a legitimate answer in the room ready to go from QB2 to QB1.
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
Baseline Sports NY is on Twitter @Baseline_NY
