Full Breakdown
Packers Secure Veteran Backup: Tyrod Taylor Joins Jordan Love
5/5/2026, 2:31:13 AM
Immediate Move: Signing Tyrod Taylor and Releasing Desmond Ridder
On May 4 2026 the Green Bay Packers announced the signing of veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor, confirming the report first broken by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. In the same transaction the team cut former backup Desmond Ridder, who had been added to the practice squad in late December. Taylor, 36 (turning 37 in August), becomes the clear No. 2 behind starter Jordan Love.
Background: Backup Quarterback Need After Malik Willis’ Departure
The move addresses a roster gap created when Malik Willis left Green Bay in March to sign a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins. Willis had filled in for Love during injuries in 2024 and 2025, posting a 2-1 record and completing 85.7 % of his passes in limited action. Love himself missed two games in each of the past two seasons (a concussion and a knee issue in 2025), underscoring the need for a reliable second-string quarterback.
Player Profile: Tyrod Taylor’s Career and Recent Performance
Taylor enters his 16th NFL season after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He has appeared in 100 regular-season games (62 starts) for seven teams, compiling 13,033 passing yards, 73 touchdowns, 34 interceptions and a 61.8 % completion rate (career passer rating 87.7). His most recent NFL action came with the New York Jets, where he started four games in 2025, posting a 1-3 record, 779 passing yards, five touchdowns, five interceptions and a 59.7 % completion rate, plus 143 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
Depth Chart and Competition: Kyle McCord and Kyron Drones
Beyond Taylor, the Packers retain rookie Kyle McCord (2025 sixth-round pick, former Ohio State/Syracuse quarterback) and undrafted Virginia Tech rookie Kyron Drones. McCord logged 4,779 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 66 % completion rate in his final college season. Drones recorded 1,919 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions (56.5 % completion) at Virginia Tech. Both will compete for the third-string spot behind Love and Taylor.
Official Statements & Responses
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst emphasized the strategic importance of the signing, noting that Love’s recent injury history “requires somebody who can come in and play at a high level to help win those games.” Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon added that Taylor is “accurate, mobile and a playmaker who’s hard to bring down in the pocket.” The organization framed the addition as a short-term solution to protect the team’s playoff aspirations.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts have pointed out that Taylor’s age and injury history make him a limited-term option, suggesting the move does not address long-term depth at quarterback. Lombardi Ave writer Lior Lampert described Taylor as “a proven dual-threat but not a long-term solution,” implying the Packers may still need to develop younger talent for future seasons.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Taylor’s exact age (36 vs. 37) and on his 2025 completion percentage (59.7 % versus a career-average of 61.8 %). Ridder’s release timing also varies, with some reports indicating the move occurred immediately after the signing, while others suggest a brief overlap. No contract terms for Taylor were disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Veteran QB Tyrod Taylor is signing with the Packers, per source,” — Tom Pelissero, NFL Network
- “But it's a really important thing for us. Jordan, the last two years has missed some time, and we've needed somebody to come in there and play at a high level to help win those games. So, whoever's called upon we're going to expect that and when you lose a guy like Malik, it is something you're going to have to replace, and we're going to try to do that.” — Brian Gutekunst, Packers GM
- “He’s a good player man, played against him a long time. Accurate, he’s mobile. Those are the two things that pop up. He’s a playmaker, he can deliver the ball accurately and it’s hard to get him down in the pocket.” — Jonathan Gannon, Packers defensive coordinator
What’s Next: Training Camp and Roster Decisions
The Packers will evaluate Taylor, McCord and Drones during rookie minicamp and the upcoming training camp. Final roster cuts will determine whether the team retains all three backups or trims the depth chart before the regular season begins.
