CLEVELAND -- Quarterback Tyrod Taylor believes he did enough over the first three weeks of the 2018 regular season to keep his starting job with the Cleveland Browns, but the team turned to Baker Mayfield when the veteran signal-caller suffered a concussion in a 21-17 win over the New York Jets in Week 3 and have not looked back.
Taylor spoke with the media prior to Wednesday’s practice in Berea and let it be known he is not happy about the situation.
“It’s frustrating, but I can’t let my emotions or my energy affect the guys that are around me,” Taylor said prior to practice.
“I have to be the best teammate I can. I think that’s the true test of a leader is how you react in times when things don’t go well, so I’ve got to continue to keep being the leader that I am and the player that I am when the opportunity presents itself.”
In three games with the Browns this season, Taylor completed 41 of his 84 attempts (48.8 percent) for 462 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions. Seven of Taylor’s passes went for 20-yard gains, while another one was a 40-yard play.
However, Taylor was sacked 13 times for 81 lost yards in the first three games.
“I think I did enough each and every week to put the team in a winning position,” Taylor said. “First week ended up in a tie, second week, had the game in our hands and, due to injury, was knocked out of the game in the third game. Small body of work. I definitely think that I’ve shown a bunch, but at the same time, it’s still early.
“I think, as a team, we were finding ourselves and we’re still finding ourselves now. It’s just a short body of work, but I definitely think that I did enough. I know who I am as a player. Whether you all agree or anyone agrees, that doesn’t necessarily matter to me. I know, when given opportunity, what I can do with the football in my hands.”
Taylor made it known that he has not requested a trade, but does not know if his agent has made any inquiries with the organization.
“I’m pretty sure things happen on a day-to-day basis that I’m not necessarily aware of,” Taylor said.
“My mindset is to continue to keep helping this team. It’s a new role for me. Continue to keep being the best teammate and the best leader I can be each and every day, while still working on my game and staying ready for the opportunity if it presents itself.”
Browns coach Hue Jackson is confident Taylor will remain with the team through the end of the 2018 season.
“Until somebody tells me differently, he’s our backup quarterback,” Jackson said.
After being traded from the Buffalo Bills to the Browns back in March, Taylor had plenty of excitement about leading Cleveland to better days after the team posted an 0-16 record last year. And that competitive fire is “still there.”
“Of course, I love to compete, want to be out there playing, but I haven’t thought about those opportunities,” Taylor said. “More so just focusing on getting better and doing things that I can help this team in any way. I’ll just continue to keep my head down and continue to keep working, like I said, helping the team.”
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