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Chargers sign Tyrod Taylor: Grade, reaction, analysis

By Brad Berreman

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 14, 2018:Quarterback Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass prior to a game against the Los Angeles Chargers on October 14, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Los Angeles won 38-14. (Photo by: 2018 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 14, 2018:Quarterback Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass prior to a game against the Los Angeles Chargers on October 14, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Los Angeles won 38-14. (Photo by: 2018 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
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Tyrod Taylor could have signed to start for the Miami Dolphins, but instead he’s headed to the Los Angeles Chargers to become Philip Rivers’ backup.

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    • As options dwindled for both sides Tyrod Taylor was tied to the Miami Dolphins, where he would have stepped right in as the starter. But instead, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Taylor will sign with the Los Angeles Chargers.

    Taylor spent last season with the Cleveland Browns, starting three games before a concussion opened the door for Baker Mayfield during that third game and the rest is history. Prior to that he started 43 games for the Buffalo Bills from 2015-2017, including a brief benching in favor of Nathan Peterman during the 2017 campaign.

    Over those three seasons as the Bills’ starter, Taylor had 51 touchdown passes with a 1.3 percent interception rate (16 in 1,236 attempts) while adding value with his legs (525 rushing yards per season, 14 rushing scores).

    Contract Details

    Rapoport reported Taylor has signed a two-year deal with the Chargers.

    National Reaction

    Dianna Russini of ESPN reminds us Chargers’ head coach Anthony Lynn was in Buffalo as an assistant when Taylor was there, most notably as offensive coordinator in 2016.

    It’s unclear if the Dolphins had any contract negotiations with Taylor, but at least one fan has a new idea for a quarterback to lead what is looking to be a bad season.

    Chargers writer and podcaster Garrett Sisti likes the move, with Taylor as a more viable backup and the ability to postpone drafting a quarterback to succeed Philip Rivers.

    B-. . QB. Los Angeles Chargers. TYROD TAYLOR

    Since taking over as the Chargers’ starter in 2006, Rivers has not missed a start. That’s 219 total games, counting the playoffs, and he has rarely even come off the field. Being a concrete-footed pocket passer has surely helped him stay healthy as he approaches 40 years old (37, 38 in early December), but Rivers falls under the radar as one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the NFL.

    Next. Keep Track of Every NFL Free Agent Signing Here. dark

    If all goes as planned Taylor will not see the field very much, if at all, for the Chargers. But the decision to sign there as a backup, rather than sign with the Dolphins to be the presumed starter, says it all about the state of those two organizations. And the Chargers finally have a backup that can play a little bit if needed, and people will be able to name easily.

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