Tyrod

Taylor

Ulbrich said he wasn’t yet considering resting Rodgers for a week as he struggles through various lower body injuries. Rodgers said he’s addressing his knee and hamstring woes with cayenne pepper and water. After the Jets’ stunning Week 7 loss to New England, Patriots defenders commented on the 40-year-old Rodgers’ lack of mobility. Rodgers, who has the NFL’s fourth lowest drop back success rate in 2024, acknowledged he was hampered by his lower body ailments but hoped to get back to full strength later in the season. Tyrod Taylor is the Jets’ backup quarterback.

“His arm is still 30 and he’s got plenty of mobility,” Saleh said of Rodgers, who missed the entire 2023 season with a torn Achilles. Rodgers, though he skipped Jets minicamp to vacation in Egypt, has worked this summer to create chemistry with Garrett Wilson and the other New York pass catchers. Rodgers probably won’t play in the team’s final preseason game as he prepares for the Jets’ season opener against a tough Niners defense.

Rodgers is “doing everything” with his teammates eight months after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the 2023 season opener. It’s hardly a surprise considering Rodgers was toying with the idea of returning to the field in December, just 90 days removed from his Achilles tear. If Rodgers, 40, stays upright in 2024, the Jets offense — paired with an elite defense — could be efficient enough to make the team a Super Bowl contender.

There’s finally a real backup for Aaron Rodgers, though 35-year-old Taylor (in August) has grown brittle as he ages. Prone to holding the ball in the pocket, Taylor doesn’t exactly go out of his way to avoid contact. Still a top 5-6 backup, Taylor now slides in as one of the league’s most critical reserves. Jets fans could convince themselves they might have earned a Wild Card berth had Taylor been in New York instead of Zach Wilson, et al. last season, but like most No. 2 types, Taylor’s returns have a way of diminishing the longer he starts. All still rests on Rodgers’ Achilles.

Taylor was limited in practice throughout the week but didn’t even get a questionable tag. The light practices were likely maintenance for the veteran quarterback. Taylor will start over Tommy DeVito for the Giants’ final game of the season. His rushing output and surprising passing efficiency will put him at the top of the QB2 ranks in a great matchup with the Eagles this week.

Taylor has been limited in each of the Giants’ first two practices to open the week. Assuming he’s healthy, he’ll be the favorite to start Week 18 against the Eagles in what may be his last game with the Giants. Taylor has thrown for 1,044 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions this season and had the Giants in position to beat the Rams last week if not for a missed Mason Crosby field goal. Taylor could face little resistance in Week 18 against an Eagles team that may opt to sit a handful of its starters.

Taylor last week cooked the Rams for 319 yards and a touchdown after taking over for Tommy “Cutlets” DeVito in Week 16. Taylor gets a tasty Week 18 matchup against a struggling Eagles defense that could rest some of their starters ahead of the postseason. Taylor is a solid streaming option for those playing Week 18 fantasy championships.

Though Taylor took six sacks and turned the ball over once, he was a clear upgrade over Tommy DeVito, whose place he took in the lineup this week. Taylor added six carries for 40 yards. He completed seven passes of at least 15 yards and had two plays gain over 40 yards. Taylor did ultimately come up short when it mattered most. The Giants went for two and the win at the end of the game. Taylor looked to scramble but changed his mind when he saw Saquon Barkley open in the flat, but he threw the ball behind Barkley for an incompletion, sealing his team’s fate. Still, he should draw the start in Week 18 based on this performance. Taylor will rank as a QB2 versus the Eagles.

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise after Taylor replaced Tommy DeVito in Week 16 and completed 7-of-16 passes for 133 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the Giants’ 33-25 loss to the Eagles. However, Brian Daboll made the decision official on Wednesday morning. While Taylor may not be as exciting a choice as the underdog DeVito, he’s a smart, veteran quarterback who doesn’t take unnecessary chances and can still add value with his legs. Taylor has favored Darius Slayton when he’s played this year and often works underneath to his tight ends, so this could lead to a slight bump in value for Darren Waller as well.

Taylor started the second half in relief of Tommy DeVito, finishing with one touchdown and one interception. Much of his work consisted of handoffs to Saquon Barkley, but Taylor did toss a 69-yard touchdown to Darius Slayton to bring the game close in the fourth quarter. He had a chance to tie the game as time expired, but threw an interception to Kelee Ringo to end it. The Giants will have to choose between Taylor and DeVito for the rest of the season, though neither option is enticing as the team is not contending and is looking ahead to next season.