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The Houston Texans will sign ex-Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Taylor, in a perfect world for the Texans, would be the backup to Deshaun Watson, but the Texans live far, far away from a perfect world.
Taylor has shown flashes both as a passer and runner in his career, but hasn’t been able to put together a full season of consistent play. Last year he was to be the bridge quarterback for the Chargers as the brought Justin Herbert along, but a mishandled pain numbing injection went into his lungs and then Herbert quickly Wally Pipp’d Taylor and went on to win Rookie of the Year.
Now Taylor will head to Houston, where Watson has played incredibly well as the starter, but now wants out and appears steadfast in his will to never play another down for the Texans. If that proves to be true, Taylor, at the moment is in the best position to start for the 2021 Texans.
Taylor’s contract has incentives that could get him all the way up to $12.5 million this season, but his base contract is much lower, per Tom Pelissero.
The #Texans are signing QB Tyrod Taylor to an incentive-laden contract, similar to what Cam Newton and Jameis Winston agreed to in recent days, per source. It can be worth up to $12.5 million, but the base value is less than half that. Solid backup money, and more if he plays.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 16, 2021
At this point, it would be ill-advised to bet against Taylor starting games this season.