Jets desperately need Tyrod Taylor to help avoid yet another lost season

TAMPA, Fla. — It only took until Week 3 for the Jets to have to turn to QB2. 

Tyrod Taylor will start for Gang Green on Sunday against the Buccaneers in place of Justin Fields, who suffered a concussion in last week’s loss to the Bills. 

The Jets have had recent seasons derailed by going to the backup quarterback — whether it was in 2023, when Aaron Rodgers was injured four plays into the season, or 2019, when Sam Darnold’s mono caused early-season havoc. 

This time, the Jets feel like they have a backup who can hack it in the 36-year-old Taylor. 

“The fact that he’s been in this league for a long time, there’s no coverage, there’s no pressure that he hasn’t seen,” coach Aaron Glenn said. “So, that’s why I have confidence in him, and he’s a very studious person, a good athlete, again, been around this league for a long time. There’s no better player that you would want as your backup quarterback than him at this point in time.” 

Taylor’s task this week is not easy.

He’s trying to bring the Jets their first victory of the season and avoid falling into an 0-3 hole.

On the other side, are the 2-0 Buccaneers who have won in dramatic fashion in each of the first two weeks.

Bucs coach Todd Bowles, who once had Glenn’s job, and quarterback Baker Mayfield are having plenty of success at Tampa Bay. 

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The Jets are coming off a 30-10 loss to the Bills when it felt like nothing went right for the home team.

The Jets desperately need a win. 

“I’m as confident as ever in the guys within this locker room,” Taylor said. “We know we’re facing a very good team, but I have all the belief and faith in the guys in this locker room that we can get the job done.” 

This will be Taylor’s first start since the end of the 2023 season when he was with the Giants.

In three relief appearances with the Jets, he has four touchdown passes and zero interceptions.

Taylor is very popular in the locker room, and players expressed confidence in him this week. 

“Obviously, I have all the confidence in myself, but to know that the guys in the locker room have the same belief, it’s just about us going out there and executing,” Taylor said. “No one in this locker room lacks confidence, we all believe in one another, and I appreciate their support, but I’m the biggest supporter of them. So, just looking forward to going out and competing on Sunday.”