5 Tyrod Taylor QB

Taylor is "in the driver seat" to start the 2020 season despite the selection of Justin Herbert No. 6 overall during the 2020 NFL Draft according to head coach Anthony Lynn and general manager Tom Telesco, James Crepea of The Oregonian reports.

It's an interesting remark considering the head coach/general manager duo repeatedly iterated earlier in the offseason that Taylor was the obvious choice as a starter, so the change in language to a potential "competition" is worth noting. It still feels unlikely Taylor will cede snaps to the team's newest first-round pick immediately, if only because Herbert will likely take some time to get acclimated to the offense and his teammates in what could be an unconventional OTA period. Still, it seems likely there will be pressure from outside sources pushing Herbert into the starting lineup, particularly given his draft status compared to the less-heralded Taylor.

The Chargers are planning to move forward with Taylor as the lone veteran quarterback on their roster, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Chargers tried to sign Tom Brady but lost out to the Buccaneers. Rather than pivoting to a lesser veteran, the team will move forward with Taylor and Easton Stick, while presumably hoping to add an early round draft pick at the position. It's also possible the Chargers change their mind and add another veteran, though Wednesday's report suggests it won't be a priority.

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco implied Taylor and Easton Stick could have a chance to compete for the starting quarterback job in 2020, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Telesco didn't really get into details, merely mentioning that the team likes its internal options. With Philip Rivers set to sign elsewhere, the Chargers have often been mentioned as a sensible destination for Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, a probable first-round pick who recently was named Senior Bowl MVP. Taylor is under contract through 2020, while Stick -- a 2019 fifth-round selection -- is signed through 2022.

Taylor appeared in eight games during the 2019 season, completing four of six passes for 33 yards and one touchdown while adding 10 rushes for seven yards.

Taylor operated in a backup role for the Chargers this season, playing behind starting quarterback Philip Rivers apart from a few specialty formations. Rivers will become an unrestricted free agent once the 2019 season concludes, leaving Taylor, who has one year left on his contract, as the potential starter if Rivers decides to sign elsewhere. The Chargers could explore options in the draft, but Taylor's past experience as an NFL starter should give him a good chance of being the primary signal-caller for the 2020 season if Rivers explores other options.

Taylor completed six of nine attempts for 61 yards and rushed six times for 34 yards in the Chargers' 23-15 preseason loss to the Seahawks on Saturday.

Taylor played the first three series and was able to lead a 12-play, 58-yard mark that culminated in a Mike Badgley 40-yard field goal. The mobile veteran actually led the Chargers in rushing yardage on the night and appears firmly entrenched as Philip Rivers' primary backup to start the season.

Taylor completed all six of his passing attempts for 72 yards and carried the ball twice for 34 yards in Thursday's 17-13 preseason loss to the Cardinals.

Taylor played the first two series of the contest with starting quarterback Philip Rivers given a veteran's night off. The 30-year-old certainly appears to have the edge for the No. 2 job in training camp thus far, with both Cardale Jones and Easton Stick struggling to put together consistent practices. However, it's not out of the question Los Angeles could roster three quarterbacks come the start of the regular season. In any case, Taylor's performance Thursday did nothing to jeopardize his status as the primary backup to Rivers.

Taylor agreed to terms Wednesday with the Chargers on a two-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Taylor will provide the Chargers with a proven backup behind 37-year-old Philip Rivers, who remains under contract with the team through the 2019 season. The move to Los Angeles thus denies Taylor a chance to compete for a starting role in the short term, but he'll provide his new team with excellent insurance in the event that the durable Rivers suffers an injury this coming season. If Rivers elects to retire after the 2019 campaign, Taylor could make for a decent bridge option to a younger signal-caller.

Taylor finished the 2018 season having completed 49 percent of his passes for 473 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in four games.

Taylor wasn't heard from much after getting knocked out of the Browns' Week 3 matchup with the Jets, a game in which rookie Baker Mayfield came in and led Cleveland to victory before being named the starter for the rest of the season. While Taylor wasn't particularly impressive even when healthy and seeing playing time, he's still a solid passer who should have a healthy market as a free agent in March.

Taylor (back) practiced fully Wednesday.

Now fully recovered from a concussion and seemingly the back injury as well, Taylor is on track to dress in Sunday's game against the Ravens. After surrendering the starting gig to Baker Mayfield, Taylor will serve as the top backup option while Drew Stanton drops to the No. 3 role.

Taylor (concussion/back) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Taylor lost his starting job when rookie Baker Mayfield replaced him in Week 3 and came back to win against the Jets. Therefore, if he was healthy, Taylor would've been a backup, but Drew Stanton will take that role instead. Once Taylor's healthy again, he'll surely push Stanton back to the No. 3 spot, but Mayfield would have to lay an egg to be dethroned.

Taylor (concussion/back) may not be active for Sunday's game against the Raiders with Drew Stanton expected to serve as the backup to starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, Sam Wyche of NFL Network reports.

Taylor exited the Week 3 game against the Jets with the concussion, clearing the way for Mayfield to guide the Browns to a comeback win and cement himself as the team's new No. 1 signal-caller. It looked as though Taylor would retain the top backup duties in Week 4 after clearing the concussion protocol a few days ago, but the back injury seems to have thwarted those plans. Taylor seems likely to be included among the Browns' inactives this week, but he should supplant Stanton as the No. 2 option once he has made a full recovery from the back issue.

Taylor (concussion/back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The QB is traveling with the Browns to Oakland for the contest, but it remains to be seen if Taylor will be cleared to back up Baker Mayfield on Sunday. If he isn't, Drew Stanton would be in line to handle the assignment.

Though Taylor has been cleared from the NFL's concussion protocol, he was limited by a back injury at Thursday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

As a result, it's not a lock that Taylor will be available to back up Baker Mayfield on Sunday against the Raiders. If he can't go, Drew Stanton would work behind Mayfield in Week 4. Browns head coach Hue Jackson said he would name a No. 2 quarterback Friday before the team's flight to Oakland, according to Cabot.

Taylor has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and will take part in Thursday's practice, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

It remains to be seen if Taylor will be eased back into on-field activity with a limited or full practice, but either way, it looks like he's trending toward being available Sunday in Oakland. Head coach Hue Jackson already announced Monday that Taylor would be slated for backup duties behind No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield, who gets his first NFL start after coming off the bench to guide the Browns to their first victory in 635 days in Week 3 against the Jets.

Taylor (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, Andrew Gribble of the Browns' official site reports.

Per head coach Hue Jackson, there's still hope that Taylor will clear the NFL's concussion protocol in advance of Sunday's game against the Raiders. If that doesn't occur, Drew Stanton would be in line to back up rookie Baker Mayfield, whom the Browns officially named as their starting quarterback for Week 4 on Monday.

Once he's cleared from his concussion, Taylor will serve as Baker Mayfield's backup.

Taylor's concussion Week 3 opened the door for Mayfield to step into the fray Thursday night against the Jets. The rookie's sharp performance in the Browns' 21-17 win then left little doubt that he'd draw the start for a Week 4 game against the Raiders. Unless Mayfield falls completely flat, or suffers an injury, Taylor will continue on as veteran QB insurance and as a mentor to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Taylor (concussion) isn't at practice Monday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

With Baker Mayfield expected to be named as the Browns' starting quarterback later in the day, Taylor's practice availability shouldn't have much impact on the game plan for Week 4 against Oakland. The Browns will turn to Drew Stanton for the backup job if Taylor isn't cleared from the concussion protocol by Sunday.

Taylor is expected to clear the NFL's concussion protocol prior to the Browns' Week 4 game against the Raiders, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

With the Browns trailing 14-0 late in the second quarter Thursday, Taylor sustained a head injury that resulted in him missing the rest of the contest. No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield took over under center and promptly led the Browns to a 21-17 victory, Cleveland's first in 635 days. Even though Taylor seems to be trending in the right direction, Mayfield's stellar performance off the bench will earn him his first career NFL start Week 4, resulting in Taylor assuming the backup role. In the event Taylor doesn't make the progress anticipated in his recovery from the concussion over the next week, Drew Stanton would slot in as Mayfield's top understudy.

Taylor is expected to yield the starting quarterback job to Baker Mayfield, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Coach Hue Jackson will wait until Monday to make the final decision, but his hand was essentially forced when Mayfield led the Browns to their first victory in 635 days Thursday versus the Jets. Taylor was knocked from the contest and diagnosed with a concussion with a little more than three minutes remaining in the second quarter, making him no guarantee to clear the protocol in time for a Week 4 matchup in Oakland on Sept. 30. Either way, Taylor is poised to move down the QB depth chart in the coming days.

Taylor has been ruled out of Thursday's contest with a concussion, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports.

Taylor took a shot late in the second quarter and was sent to the locker room to be evaluated. His absence will clear the way for 2018 top overall pick Baker Mayfield to lead the Browns against the Jets defense. Mayfield completed three of four passes for 47 yards in his lone drive before halftime. It is unclear at this point who will retain the starting quarterback job going forward once Taylor is cleared for action.