The New York Jets are heading into another pivotal offseason, and while much of the quarterback room is expected to get a facelift, there’s one familiar face they’re hoping sticks around: Tyrod Taylor.
According to reports, the Jets have made it clear they’d like to bring back the veteran signal caller for the 2026 season. Taylor, now 36, is set to hit free agency, and there’s a sense around the league that he won’t be short on interest. If the Jets want to keep him in green and white, they might need to open the checkbook a little wider than they’d like.
Why the interest in retaining Taylor? It comes down to one word: stability.
After the Justin Fields experiment didn’t pan out the way the Jets had hoped, the team is expected to make sweeping changes at quarterback. But with uncertainty looming, Taylor offers a steady presence - someone who knows the system, can step in when needed, and brings more than a decade of NFL experience into the locker room.
Taylor’s journey through the league has been nothing short of winding. A sixth-round pick by the Ravens back in 2011, he spent his first four seasons backing up Joe Flacco in Baltimore.
His first real opportunity came in Buffalo, where he earned a starting role and even led the Bills to a playoff appearance. That stint ended with a trade to the Browns for a third-round pick.
From there, Taylor became the go-to veteran bridge for several franchises. He wrapped up a two-year, $30.5 million deal before signing a two-year, $11 million contract with the Chargers. Then came a one-year, $12.5 million stop in Houston for the 2021 season, followed by a two-year, $17 million deal with the Giants to serve as a backup.
The Jets brought him in on a two-year, $12 million contract, and in 2025, he saw action in six games. His numbers were modest - a 59.7% completion rate, 779 passing yards, five touchdowns, five interceptions - but he also added 143 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. More importantly, he brought poise and professionalism to a team that needed it.
Taylor may not be a long-term answer, but in a league where quarterback depth is more important than ever, his value is clear. He’s the kind of player who can keep the offense afloat in a pinch, mentor younger quarterbacks, and help steady the ship in a turbulent quarterback room.
If the Jets want to keep that kind of presence around, they might have to pay a premium. But in a season where everything is on the line, that might be a price worth paying.