Beyond their class of rookies, the Green Bay Packers have another new face in the building this week. Tyrod Taylor signed with the Packers to be the backup quarterback behind Jordan Love this season, answering at least one significant question about the team’s plans for the roster in 2026.
Taylor comes with a lengthy resumé, having played in 100 NFL games and started 62 of those over his 15-year career. The Packers will be his 8th team, and the one-time Pro Bowler has historically done a very good job taking care of the football throughout his career.
Having an experienced set of eyes holding the clipboard gives the Packers a bit of a different look from the backup situation the last two years. Malik Willis was a dynamic player with his legs and was able to make the occasional big play with his big arm; Taylor is much more of a conventional quarterback, especially these days. But his experience and knowledge of the game should be a benefit to Love and the coaching staff on gamedays, even if he never takes a snap from center.
Knowledge of the game is the theme for another key Packers player as well, namely second-year wide receiver Matthew Golden. After a rookie year that was a bit disappointing, Golden is focused this offseason on understanding everything better so he can just go out and play fast. It’s a common refrain from rookies heading into their second NFL seasons, and it’s one of the big reasons why former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy was so fond of talking about the “second-year jump” he expected to see from his young players.
Here’s more on Golden, Taylor, and other Packers-related topics as we approach the tail end of the week.