The Green Bay Packers are making moves to solidify their quarterback depth chart, bringing in a seasoned veteran to compete for the backup role behind starter Jordan Love. The team has signed 15-year NFL veteran Tyrod Taylor, who will turn 37 in August, to a deal that positions him as the frontrunner to replace Malik Willis—who departed for Miami earlier this offseason.

Taylor brings a wealth of experience to the Packers' locker room. With a career record of 29-31-1 as a starter and a passer rating of 87.7, he's known for his mobility and accuracy. Over the past two seasons, he's completed 97 of 156 passes for eight touchdowns and five interceptions, though he's gone 3-6 as a backup during that span, including a 1-3 stint with a struggling New York Jets squad last season.

Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who was meeting with local media for the first time, shared his initial thoughts on the signing after an NFL Network report broke the news. "He's a good player," Gannon said. "Played against him a long time. He's accurate, he's mobile—that's two things that pop up. He's a playmaker. He can deliver the ball accurately and it's hard to get him down in the pocket."

To make room for Taylor, the Packers will release quarterback Desmond Ridder, a source confirmed. Ridder, a former Atlanta Falcons starter who signed with Green Bay in January, was initially in the mix alongside 2025 Philadelphia Eagles sixth-round pick Kyle McCord and undrafted free agent Kyron Drones from Virginia Tech. With Willis now in Miami, the Packers were left without an established backup, making Taylor's arrival a timely addition.

An NFC personnel director weighed in on the move, calling it a smart gamble. "Makes sense," he said. "He can still play if he can stay healthy. That's been his biggest issue. Everyone he plays, he gets hurt. Older and fragile, but can still move and sling it."

Taylor entered the league as a sixth-round draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2011 and didn't start a game until his sixth season. After signing with Buffalo, he went 22-20 as a starter over three years, showcasing the dual-threat ability that has kept him in the league for over a decade. Now, he'll look to bring that veteran savvy to Green Bay, where the Packers hope he can provide reliable insurance behind Love.