The Los Angeles Chargers parted way with Philip Rivers, who served as the team’s starting quarterback for the past 14 seasons.
One of the main focal points this offseason is figuring out who will be the starter under center going into the 2020 regular season. According to coach Anthony Lynn, that guy could already be on the roster.
“Tyrod Taylor is a heck of a quarterback,” Lynn told AM 570 L.A. Sports on Thursday, per ESPN’s Eric D. Williams. “We couldn’t have a better backup right now, and now he has an opportunity to maybe step up into a starting role. I’ve had Tyrod before [in Buffalo], and I know what this young man brings to the table, in the passing game and the running game.”
Taylor signed a two-year deal to back up Rivers last offseason, making only one appearance in 2019. However, he and 2019 fifth-round selection Easton Stick are now the only quarterbacks on the roster.
There’s been plenty of chatter on how Los Angeles will find a replacement to Rivers, whether that’s through free agency, a trade or the draft, but Taylor appears to have an inside track for the job already.
Taylor played for Lynn during his first two years with the Bills, which were the most productive seasons of his career. He made the Pro Bowl in 2015 while Lynn was the running backs coach, and spent most of 2016 with him as the team’s offensive coordinator.
During the three seasons that they were together in Buffalo, Taylor totaled 51 touchdown passes, along with 14 rushing scores.
Another thing that Lynn praised was Taylor’s ability to protect the football. Taylor, who has only thrown 16 interceptions in 44 games, ranks among the league’s best in turnovers.
“One of the things he does very well is take care of the football. I believe every year he’s started in this league he’s been the No. 1 quarterback in taking care of the football. I believe more games are lost than won. So if we can just take care of the football and take it away, we’ll be OK,” Lynn said.
That could be one of the reasons why they parted ways with Rivers as the 38-year old threw 20 interceptions to only 23 touchdowns last season.
Another key thing to note is that Lynn’s offensive philosophy has always been a run-heavy approach, but he hasn’t been able to do so without a mobile quarterback. Now with Taylor, they could look to shift the curve to the offense.
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“There are some guys that can win from the pocket, but when you look around the league, most of these guys are mobile quarterbacks that can move,” Lynn said. “All you have to do is watch high school football on Friday nights. High school football told me 10 years ago the direction the NFL was headed.
“So that’s just the world that we’re in right now — you can do more things and be more cutting edge [with a mobile quarterback]. But that guy that can stand back there, pick up all those protections, throw the ball from the pocket and use the quick passing game [instead of] his legs, you can still win with a classic pocket passer.”
With Lynn saying that Taylor could start, this could be hinting that he might serve as a bridge to a rookie quarterback from this upcoming draft rather than looking to acquire one via free agency or a trade.
Taylor was last tasked with serving as the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback in 2018 before Baker Mayfield, who was the No. 1 overall selection in that draft, took over.