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Wealthy Cimini
NEW YORK — For a three-week interval within the New York Jets‘ offseason — from the Feb. 13 announcement that Aaron Rodgers can be launched to the beginning of free company in March — Tyrod Taylor was regarded as a fallback choice for the beginning quarterback job.
Then got here the signing of Justin Fields, who was subsequently pronounced by group officers as their beginning quarterback.
Taylor, commenting for the primary time because the quarterback shake-up, threw his full assist behind Fields in an interview Tuesday evening. Taylor would not say whether or not he had anticipated an opportunity to compete for the beginning job — a possibility that by no means got here.
“Whether or not I did or whether or not I did not, my mindset and the best way I situation myself to prepare for a season since my rookie yr has been [to] strategy every day as when you’re the starter,” mentioned Taylor, who was honored for his neighborhood work on the annual Gridiron Gala by the United Means of New York Metropolis. “As a quarterback, you are a possibility away, so that you need to be properly ready for that chance.”
Taylor, who backed up Rodgers final season, mentioned he is aware of Fields “very properly,” including that they educated collectively this offseason in Atlanta.
“We have been good buddies all through his time within the league as properly,” Taylor mentioned. “So I am right here to assist and assist the group win in any kind or trend, whether or not it is me on the sphere or whether or not it is me with the ability to shed some mild and expertise and coach guys via, whether or not it is within the quarterback room or every other place. Any information or expertise that I may supply to the youthful guys that helps the group win, on the finish of the day, is what I am right here to do. I am trying ahead to doing that.”
Fields, 26, was the Jets’ No. 1 quarterback goal in free company. New York gave him a two-year, $40 million contract, together with a $30 million assure.
Had the Jets missed out on Fields and wound up with a cheaper quarterback, it is fairly attainable that Taylor would’ve been given a possibility to compete for the beginning job. As soon as the Jets dedicated that a lot to Fields, the plan grew to become clear.
Taylor, who broke into the NFL in 2011, has a 28-28-1 file as a starter. He performed solely 36 snaps final season, in mop-up assignments, finishing 17 of twenty-two passes for 119 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions. Rodgers began each recreation.
Taylor, 35, is a well-liked participant, as evidenced by the turnout Tuesday evening. No fewer than 15 teammates, together with a lot of the offensive linemen, confirmed as much as assist him. Not one of the gamers interviewed by ESPN ventured a guess on what Rodgers, their mercurial former teammate, plans to do together with his profession.
“I am unsure,” Taylor mentioned. “I’ve bought nothing however love for Aaron. Realized lots from him final yr. Nothing however respect.”
