The Jets have yet to reach out to the Falcons regarding Kirk Cousins’ contract.
With Justin Fields dealing with a daily-dislocated toe issue, the Jets have expressed confidence in Tyrod Taylor as the backup to step up.
“As far as play calls go, I honestly don’t think we lose anything in what we aim to achieve,” coach Aaron Glenn mentioned. “[They are] It was appealing to us when we evaluated our skill sets.”
Taylor stands out as one of the league’s prime backup quarterbacks, boasting 58 starts over a 14-season career.
His aggressive playing style can lead to thrilling plays, but he, unfortunately, struggles to stay healthy, often taking significant hits while scrambling.
“He’s just trying to get loose,” cornerback Brandon Stevens quipped about Taylor’s powerful arm.
Taylor has had four concussions in the last six years, and a rib injury recently put him behind undrafted rookie DeVito with the Giants after Daniel Jones was sidelined.
“He brings great leadership,” said Glenn. “We’re all good with him.” However, if Glenn was completely confident, he might have been stuck with Taylor in a cheaper starter situation.
Instead, the Jets opted for a two-year, $40 million deal for him, naming him the starter without competition.
Taylor, now 35, was one of the few players to survive Glenn’s youth movement. “I’ve played against him, and it’s clear the players respect him,” Glenn noted. “Everyone really listens to him—even the coaching staff. He understands what it takes to win.”
If Fields’ absence extends longer than anticipated, the Jets might also consider training with Taylor, Brady Cook, and Adrian Martinez.
Meanwhile, Cousins is out with a $27.5 million cap hit but may require a substantial move on the Jets’ part.
Receiver Josh Reynolds commented, “Having the veteran Tyrod here is perfectly fine.”
It was a challenging day for kickers Kaden Davis and Harrison Mevis as both are vying for the spot after Greg Zooline’s departure, with neither having attempted a field goal in the NFL yet.
“I’m not going to panic on the first day of kicking,” Glenn stated. “I’ll talk to them, continue working, and we’ll find the best option.”
Rookie Arianne Smith caught the attention of fellow receiver Reynolds, who has a solid grasp of offensive strategies from the Lions era. “He’s absorbing a lot and putting it into action, which is impressive for a rookie. A lot struggle to make that transition from learning to playing,” Reynolds added.
