To say that Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor isn’t a happy camper would be an understatement. Following the ousting of Rex Ryan as the team’s head coach last week, Taylor was benched in favor of EJ Manuel for Buffalo’s season finale against the New York Jets.
It was somewhat of a shocking turn of events, especially considering Taylor himself was coming off a 300-plus yard, three touchdown performance against the Miami Dolphins in Week 16.
Now, one day after the Bills wrapped up yet another disappointing season, Taylor himself is speaking up on the benching. Obviously, he doesn’t seem to be too happy. In concluding that he didn’t think it was “fair” while indicating that the benching showed a lack of trust in him as the Bills’ starter, Taylor had this to say.
“That’s what it showed,” Taylor said, via NewYorkUpstate.com. “That’s what I think it showed. But at the same time, the conversation wasn’t detailed enough to know if that was the case or not. Hopefully we can have that conversation this week. Maybe it’s today. I’m not sure. We haven’t met as a unit yet, nor have I met with the people upstairs, so maybe it will be clear what’s the direction moving forward.”
The former Virginia Tech standout also indicated that he had “no clue why” he was benched in favor of Manuel for the Bills’ meaningless Week 17 game.
This all comes on heels of reports that the Bills themselves decided a while back to move on from Taylor. He’s set to receive a huge payday in 2017, which is likely one of the reasons Buffalo is seemingly not interested in retaining him moving forward.
Taylor, 27, finished up the 2016 season compiling over 3,600 total yards with 23 touchdowns and just six interceptions. His performance was uneven, but it’s hard to imagine the Bills finding a real upgrade either via a trade or free agency. That’s what makes this whole situation so odd from the team’s standpoint.