Tyrod Taylor, a 36-year-old quarterback, is set to join the Green Bay Packers as their backup for Jordan Love in 2026. This will mark his eighth NFL team in a 16-season career, following two years with the New York Jets.
Key points
Tyrod Taylor is joining the Green Bay Packers.
He is 36 years old and in his 16th NFL season.
Taylor has played for seven teams before the Packers.
He was a backup for Aaron Rodgers with the Jets.
The Packers needed a backup after Malik Willis left.
The 36-year-old played for the New York Jets the last two seasons, including Rodgers' last for the team in 2024, and then saw his playing time increase in 2025 as primary starter Justin Fields struggled and had injuries. Taylor also battled multiple injuries last season.
Taylor will now have played for a quarter of the NFL teams during his long career. Besides having experience, he was once a significant dual-threat option, much like Willis was for the Packers the last two years.
Here's more on Taylor, including his age, stats, NFL history and the team's quarterback depth chart:
Tyrod Taylor age
He’s 36 years old. He’ll turn 37 during training camp on Aug. 3.
Who is Tyrod Taylor?
Taylor is a veteran NFL quarterback who's a dual-threat option.
From Hampton, Virginia, Taylor played college football at Virginia Tech and earned ACC player-of-the-year honors his senior year.
He was a sixth-round draft pick by the in 2011 and spent the first four years of his career as a backup to . He was on the Ravens' roster that won the Super Bowl during the 2013 season.
Q&A
What teams has Tyrod Taylor played for in the NFL?
Tyrod Taylor has played for seven NFL teams prior to joining the Green Bay Packers, including the New York Jets.
How old is Tyrod Taylor and what is his experience in the NFL?
Tyrod Taylor is 36 years old and has 16 seasons of experience in the NFL.
Why did the Green Bay Packers sign Tyrod Taylor?
The Packers signed Tyrod Taylor to provide a reliable backup for Jordan Love after Malik Willis left in free agency.
What were Tyrod Taylor's stats during his time with the New York Jets?
During his time with the Jets, Tyrod Taylor's playing time increased in 2025 due to injuries to primary starter Justin Fields, but specific stats are not detailed in the excerpt.
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Taylor signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills in 2015 and made the Pro Bowl in that first season when he started 13 games, completed 63.7% of his passes and threw for a career-high 3,035 yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions.
He also had 104 rushes for 568 yards and four rushing TDs in 2015. For his career, Taylor has 20 rushing TDs and 2,424 rushing yards.
After leaving Buffalo following the 2017 season, Taylor has played for five teams, none longer than two seasons.
Tyrod Taylor teams
New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) runs with the ball, Sunday, September 14, 2025, in East Rutherford.
New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) runs with the ball, Sunday, September 14, 2025, in East Rutherford.
The Packers will be Taylor's eighth team.
Here are the seven teams he has played for during his 15-year NFL career:
Taylor has played in 100 games during his 15-year NFL career. He has spent most of his career as a backup, though he made 43 starts (23-20 record) with the Buffalo Bills as a three-year starter from 2015 through 2017.
Games: 100
Starts: 62 (Record as a starter: 29-31-1)
Completion: 61.8%
Yards: 13,033
TDs: 73
INTs: 34
QB rating: 87.7
Iowa State offensive lineman Dylan Barrett, who also played at Wisconsin, is one of several undrafted free agents the Green Bay Packers are signing following the 2026 NFL Draft.
Scroll through this gallery to see all the players, including stats and where they played in college.
Kyle Drones, Virginia Tech Position: Quarterback Height: 6-1½
Weight: 226 pounds
In 12 games in 2025, Drones completed 56.5% of his passes for 1,919 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions his senior year.
He started 34 games in his three years at Virginia Tech. Drones began his college career at Baylor for two years.
Kyron Drones was a rushing threat during his college career, topping 1,847 yards on the ground and 22 touchdowns, including nine last season.
TJ Quinn, Louisville Position: Linebacker
Height 6-foot
Weight: 225 pounds
TJ Quinn (34) led Lousiville in tackles in 2023 and 2024 and was a third-team All-ACC performer in 2025.
Josh Gesky, Illinois
Position: Offensive lineman Height: 6-5
Weight: 308 pounds
Josh Gesky spent his entire five-year college career at Illinois.
He started all 13 games at left guard for the Illini in 2025 and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
Jaden Nixon, Central Florida
Position: Running back Height: 5-9
Weight: 199 pounds
Nixon spent his final college season at Central Florida where he earned All-Big 12 honorable mention as a kick returner.
He led UCF in rushing touchdowns (seven) and second on the team in rushign yards (554).
Nixon had the team's first kickoff return touchdown in eight years and totaled 438 return yards on the season.
For Nixon's redshirt junior season, he transferred to Western Michigan.
Nixon was a first-team All-MAC honoree after totaling 921 rushing yards on 143 attempts and 12 touchdowns.
Nixon spent the first three years of his college career at Oklahoma State (2021, 2022 and 2023). He redshirted in 2021.
Murvin Kenion III
Position: Safety Height: 5-10½
Weight: 205 pounds
He began his college career at Idaho before transferring to Nevada.
Dylan Barrett, Iowa State
Position: Offensive lineman Height: 6-5
Weight: 325 pounds
Spent six years in college (First four at Wisconsin and then his final two at Iowa State)
R.J. Maryland, SMU
Position: Tight end Height: 6-4⅛
Weight: 236 pounds
R.J. Maryland spent all four years of his college career at SMU.
R.J. Maryland accumulated 1,495 yards, the most by a tight end in program history.
He's the son of former No. 1 overall pick Russell Maryland (1991, Dallas Cowboys), who later played one season with the Packers.
Nyjalik Kelly, Central Florida
Position: Edge rusher Height: 6-5½
Weight: 263 pounds
Kykalik Kelly was a two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 selection his junior and senior seasons at Central Florida in 2024 and 2025.
He started 23 games for the Golden Knights, including all 12 his senior year.
A former four-star prospect, Kykalik Kelly began his college career at the University of Miami.
He spent two years there before transferring to UCF.
J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida Position: Wide receiver Height: 6-3
Weight: 207 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.40 seconds
In his only season at Florida in 2025, he started in every game, recording 27 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns.
Before Florida, he spent two years at UCLA (2023, 2024) and two at Cal (2021, 2022).
Dillon Wade, Auburn
Position: Guard Height: 6-3
Weight: 313 pounds
Spent five years in college (final three at Auburn, first two at Tulsa).
He started all 12 games at left guard as a senior and 34 consecutive starts overall.
Eni Falayi, Wake Forest
Position: Tight end Height: 6-5
Weight: 249 pounds
Spent three years at UMass, one year at Utah Tech before finishing college career at Wake Forest in 2025. He played in 12 games with 11 startsat Wake Forest with 21 catches, 228 yards and two touchdowns.
1 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Iowa State offensive lineman Dylan Barrett, who also played at Wisconsin, is one of several undrafted free agents the Green Bay Packers are signing following the 2026 NFL Draft.
Scroll through this gallery to see all the players, including stats and where they played in college.
1 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Iowa State offensive lineman Dylan Barrett, who also played at Wisconsin, is one of several undrafted free agents the Green Bay Packers are signing following the 2026 NFL Draft.
Scroll through this gallery to see all the players, including stats and where they played in college.
2 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Kyle Drones, Virginia Tech Position: Quarterback Height: 6-1½
Weight: 226 pounds
3 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
In 12 games in 2025, Drones completed 56.5% of his passes for 1,919 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions his senior year.
He started 34 games in his three years at Virginia Tech. Drones began his college career at Baylor for two years.
4 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Kyron Drones was a rushing threat during his college career, topping 1,847 yards on the ground and 22 touchdowns, including nine last season.
5 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
TJ Quinn, Louisville Position: Linebacker
Height 6-foot
Weight: 225 pounds
6 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
TJ Quinn (34) led Lousiville in tackles in 2023 and 2024 and was a third-team All-ACC performer in 2025.
7 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Josh Gesky, Illinois
Position: Offensive lineman Height: 6-5
Weight: 308 pounds
8 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Josh Gesky spent his entire five-year college career at Illinois.
He started all 13 games at left guard for the Illini in 2025 and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
9 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Jaden Nixon, Central Florida
Position: Running back Height: 5-9
Weight: 199 pounds
10 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Nixon spent his final college season at Central Florida where he earned All-Big 12 honorable mention as a kick returner.
He led UCF in rushing touchdowns (seven) and second on the team in rushign yards (554).
Nixon had the team's first kickoff return touchdown in eight years and totaled 438 return yards on the season.
11 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
For Nixon's redshirt junior season, he transferred to Western Michigan.
Nixon was a first-team All-MAC honoree after totaling 921 rushing yards on 143 attempts and 12 touchdowns.
12 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Nixon spent the first three years of his college career at Oklahoma State (2021, 2022 and 2023). He redshirted in 2021.
13 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Murvin Kenion III
Position: Safety Height: 5-10½
Weight: 205 pounds
He began his college career at Idaho before transferring to Nevada.
14 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Dylan Barrett, Iowa State
Position: Offensive lineman Height: 6-5
Weight: 325 pounds
Spent six years in college (First four at Wisconsin and then his final two at Iowa State)
15 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
R.J. Maryland, SMU
Position: Tight end Height: 6-4⅛
Weight: 236 pounds
16 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
R.J. Maryland spent all four years of his college career at SMU.
R.J. Maryland accumulated 1,495 yards, the most by a tight end in program history.
He's the son of former No. 1 overall pick Russell Maryland (1991, Dallas Cowboys), who later played one season with the Packers.
17 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Nyjalik Kelly, Central Florida
Position: Edge rusher Height: 6-5½
Weight: 263 pounds
18 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Kykalik Kelly was a two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 selection his junior and senior seasons at Central Florida in 2024 and 2025.
He started 23 games for the Golden Knights, including all 12 his senior year.
19 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
A former four-star prospect, Kykalik Kelly began his college career at the University of Miami.
He spent two years there before transferring to UCF.
20 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida Position: Wide receiver Height: 6-3
Weight: 207 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.40 seconds
21 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
In his only season at Florida in 2025, he started in every game, recording 27 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns.
Before Florida, he spent two years at UCLA (2023, 2024) and two at Cal (2021, 2022).
22 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Dillon Wade, Auburn
Position: Guard Height: 6-3
Weight: 313 pounds
Spent five years in college (final three at Auburn, first two at Tulsa).
He started all 12 games at left guard as a senior and 34 consecutive starts overall.
23 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Eni Falayi, Wake Forest
Position: Tight end Height: 6-5
Weight: 249 pounds
Spent three years at UMass, one year at Utah Tech before finishing college career at Wake Forest in 2025. He played in 12 games with 11 startsat Wake Forest with 21 catches, 228 yards and two touchdowns.
Tyrod Taylor last start
He made four starts with the Jets last season and six appearances overall as he filled in for Fields when he was injured or unproductive.
Taylor was 1-3 in starts last season. His last start came Dec. 7 against the Miami Dolphins. But he left the game in the first quarter with a groin injury after going 1-for-4 with 6 yards and an interception. Taylor didn't play again the rest of the season.
Tyrod Taylor injury
Taylor has faced a myriad of injuries throughout his career.
These include shouler, MCL, groin, knee, rib and hamstring injuries. While he appeared in six games in 2025, he suffered through an injury-filled season.
Taylor had arthroscopic knee surgery during training camp and then battled through the injury during the season.
His season later ended after a groin injury in December.
The Green Bay Packers made six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft with Brandon Cisse of the South Carolina Gamecocks their first pick in the second round.
Scroll through this gallery for info on the players part of the Packers' 2026 draft class.
Brandon Cisse, cornerback, South Carolina, second round round (52nd overall)
Chris McClellan, defensive tackle, Missouri, third round (77th overall)
Chris McClellan played the final two years of his college career at Missouri after two years at Florida.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, edge rusher, Penn State, fourth round (120th overall)
Dani Dennis-Sutton spent his entire four-year college career at Penn State.
Here are the Green Bay Packers 2026 draft picks in photos
Trey Smack spent all four years of his college career at Florida.
Tyrod Taylor contract
Terms of Taylor's contract weren't immediately known. But if his recent contracts are any indication, it likely will be in the $5 million to $6 million range.
Here's a look at his recent contracts, via Spotrac:
His two-year deal with the Jets in 2024 was for $12 million. Before that, he played for the Giants on a two-year deal for $11 million. His one-year deal in 2021 with the Texans was for $5.5 million. And in 2019, Taylor signed a two-year deal for $11 million with the Chargers.
His biggest contract came in 2016 after his first season with the Bills, when he signed a five-year extension for $90 million. A year later, he signed a two-year extension for $30.5 million.
Packers quarterback depth chart
After the signing of Taylor, the Packers have three quarterbacks after the release of Desmond Ridder, according to the NFL Network.
Here's the Packers' quarterback depth chart:
Jordan Love, entering seventh NFL season and fourth as Packers' QB1
