The free agency frenzy is over, and no Tom Brady. The 2020 NFL Draft is complete, and the Los Angeles Chargers selected Oregon’s quarterback Justin Herbert with the sixth pick.
Tyrod Taylor is currently the starting quarterback for the Chargers. Why can’t he be the franchise quarterback?
What Is A Franchise Quarterback?
The first question is, what is a franchise quarterback? Do you know?
NFL analyst Bucky Brooks defines a franchise quarterback as “…a ‘franchise quarterback’ is a guy capable of delivering wins, regardless of situation and circumstances.”
Meanwhile, a BleacherReport article describes a franchise quarterback as, “A quarterback who can help his team convert key third and fourth down situations will also be seen as a franchise player.”
And then there is Craig Stofko of Fansided who gets personal. He defines franchise quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, and Eli Manning.
He then names Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, Jameis Winston, and Jimmy Garoppolo as the “close but no cigar” quarterbacks.
He summarizes by stating, “…the NFL’s great quarterbacks, the franchise quarterbacks, have several traits in common. They all very high football intelligence; that is, they possess a profound understanding of how the game is played. They are tough beyond compare as no athlete in any sport takes more of a pounding than an NFL quarterback. And lastly, they are winners. They consistently rise to the occasion and elevate the play of the rest of the team. These guys improve the performance of the franchise by making everyone better.”
So How Do You Define Franchise Quarterback?
Can a franchise quarterback be defined? Because seriously, most would include Ryan and Newton (and maybe Winston) under the franchise quarterback label.
Is a franchise quarterback something you just know?
The Case For Tyrod Taylor
So why isn’t Taylor considered a franchise quarterback for the Chargers franchise?
Taylor drafted in the sixth round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2011. In his time in Baltimore, he was the backup for Joe Flacco.
In 2015 he signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills. He became a starter by beating Matt Cassel and rookie EJ Manuel, for the position. He was a Bills’ starter from 2015-2017. In the 2017 season, he took the Bills to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. In 2018 the Bills traded Taylor to the Cleveland Browns for a third-round pick.
Last season the Chargers signed Taylor to a two-year contract for $11 million.
Stats And Stuff
- Was the Bills starter from 2015-2017
- Best season in 2017 when he took the Bills to the playoffs for the first time since 1999
- Has a Pro-Bowl season
- In nine-year career has 54 touchdowns and 20 interceptions
- Has a career completion percentage of 61.7
- Has a career passer rating of 89.8 percent
- Thrown for 9,562 yards and ran for 1,843 yards with 16 rushing touchdowns
Chargers Franchise Quarterback – Philip Rivers
- Drafted fourth in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the New York Giants
- Giants trade him to the San Diego Chargers fro their first overall pick, Eli Manning
- Eight-time Pro Bowl selection
- 2013 NFL Comeback Player of the Year
- Played in seven playoff games, with career record 3-4
Stats And Stuff (career)
- 64.7 percent completion percentage
- 7.8 average yards per attempt
- 397 touchdowns and 198 interceptions = 5.2 touchdown percentage rate and 2.6 interception percentage rate
- 1.6 rushing attempts per game
- 2.7 average rushing yards per game
- Three rushing touchdowns
Can Tyrod Taylor Be A Franchise Quarterback?
Is the argument against Taylor becoming a franchise quarterback the fact that he is a journeyman? Or is a franchise quarterback all about aesthetics?
Taylor will certainly open up the offense with his ability to run. Taylor has taken a team to the playoffs that had not sniffed the postseason in years.
Taylor was also displaced twice by rookie quarterbacks. Once after taking a team to the playoffs.
If Taylor takes the Chargers to the playoffs will he then be designated a franchise quarterback?
What does Taylor need to do to earn the label franchise quarterback? What say you?
Chargers QB Tyrod Taylor. Photo Credit: Erik Drost – Under Creative Commons License