LA Chargers: Tyrod Taylor should start the entire season
By AJ Reed
Tyrod Taylor should get an entire season’s worth of work with the Los Angeles Chargers.
With the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers selected quarterback Justin Herbert, and many fans would prefer if he started sooner rather than later. However, it would be wise for the Chargers to sit Herbert for at least a year maybe even longer.
This has been a tried and proven strategy for developing quarterbacks in the NFL — there are countless examples of it working. Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City sat behind Alex Smith for a year and is now considered the best QB in the league, Lamar Jackson in Baltimore sat behind Joe Flacco for the majority of his first season, and he went on to win the MVP this past year.
There are also countless examples of a young quarterback being rushed into the starting spot when they are not anywhere close to being ready. Josh Rosen with the Cardinals is a prime example of this, Nathan Peterman for the Bills is another prime example.
These are just the more recent examples in the NFL, just looks at the Browns’ recent quarterbacks list dating back to 2000, the Cleveland Browns have had 31 starting quarterbacks since that year; that is almost enough QBs for every other team in the league. That is the result of putting in quarterbacks when they are not ready, and that is absolutely what the Chargers should avoid.
Tyrod Taylor is a competent quarterback who is familiar with Anthony Lynn’s system and will be ready to start Week 1. He is coming into an offense loaded with weapons and a core containing Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler and Hunter Henry.
Taylor has only thrown 20 interceptions in his entire career, evidence of his great ball security. The lack of turnovers will keep the defense off the field more allowing them to stay fresh for the next drive, and hopefully, stay healthy.
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Tyrod Taylor will succeed as the Los Angeles Chargers starting quarterback, and the fans should feel no rush to put Justin Hebert in for the time being.