Bringing in a journeyman veteran quarterback typically means one of two things for a team. Either you are holding an open quarterback competition, with an unproven youngster to go against the sage veteran, or you need a steady backup for the franchise guy. Fortunately for the Green Bay Packers, they find themselves in the latter end of that conversation.
Green Bay fans are plenty used to the backup quarterback position being an afterthought. Brett Favre went through plenty of backups, with Mark Brunell, Doug Pederson, and Matt Hasselbeck among a long list of guys who parlayed their success in limited action into a starting gig. Favre's successor, Aaron Rodgers, had Matt Flynn, Scott Tolzien, and Taysom Hill, who took the next step after leaving Titletown.
Jordan Love's former understudy, Malik Willis, now has the opportunity to start for the Miami Dolphins after thriving in his two seasons of reserve work in Green Bay. Now the Packers need a new backup. Desmond Ridder was the initial apprentice, a man desperately in need of a reclamation project. Rather than try to rehab another project quarterback, the Packers front office went the other way, signing an established vet in Tyrod Taylor.
The Packers have been in this role before. Jim McMahon backed up Favre. Seneca Wallace briefly worked behind Rodgers, even starting a game when Rodgers broke his collarbone in 2013. Now, at least for 2026, Love will have Taylor.
Tyrod Taylor focused on relationship with Jordan Love
Taylor has certainly been around the NFL block. The former Hokie has a Super Bowl ring from his time as a backup in Baltimore. He earned a Pro Bowl spot in 2015 with Buffalo and has appeared in at least one game each season since being drafted in 2011.
Taylor started four games for the Jets a year ago, going 1-3, throwing for five touchdowns and five interceptions, while rushing for an additional score. By no means will that get him to another Pro Bowl, but with a competent roster around him, he certainly could win a game or two in relief if Love were to have to miss time.
Make no mistake, this is Love's team, and Tyrod knows it. He told the assembled media on Green Bay's first day of minicamp that he knows the importance of being a good backup for the starting guy: "We're each other's eyes while we're not on the field, so whether it's looking for certain things while he's on the field that he may not be able to see before he gets the tablet in his hands."
It's a role that can certainly feel like walking a tightrope, and Taylor knows this as well: "Some people love more talkers on the sideline. Some people want things to be quiet. It's about learning one another." This comes in addition to learning the offense, helping gameplan, and, of course, being ready to play at a moment's notice.
One of the nice things about having Taylor in the fold in Green Bay is that no one is going to confuse him as the starter. Even last year, a small but loud minority of fans were calling for Willis to replace Love. That conversation should be put to bed after the Packers landed Taylor.
Now, Taylor's focus is on returning to the Super Bowl, and believes Green Bay is the place to do it.
"I was fortunate enough to be part of a Super Bowl-winning team in Year 2," he said. "Over the course of the career, you realize how hard it is to get back. You definitely try to look for teams that have the best talent, but that doesn't always win championships as well... And I think the guys in this locker room have the right mindset to achieve what we all want to achieve."
Love flirted with an MVP nomination a season ago. Now, he will have another voice to help guide him. Will it be enough to take the next step? That remains to be seen. But, adding a longtime vet to mentor Love, or relieve him if he is injured, should keep Green Bay as a contender for 2026.
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