Tyrod Taylor Early Favorite for the Bills’ Starting Gig

Originally seen as the probable third string quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, Tyrod Taylor has turned heads and will be starting in the Bills’ next preseason game on Thursday. 

Taylor, who in his first four seasons in the league did not start a single game, has grabbed an early advantage over both Matt Cassel and E.J. Manuel.

In his first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, Taylor completed five of his eight pass attempts for 49 yards, with zero interceptions. Taylor also showed off his ability to scramble out of the pocket and take off in the open field, by rushing for 47 yards.

While those numbers may not look amazing, Taylor did all this with the second team offense. One of Taylor’s incomplete passes was what would have been a 20-yard touchdown that was dropped.

When Taylor entered the NFL, many viewed him as a college quarterback that would transition into being a wide receiver, similar to what Terrelle Pryor is doing this year with the Cincinnati Bengals. However, Taylor has stuck to the quarterback position and his choice may pay off in 2015.

Meanwhile, Matt Cassel expects to be Taylor’s backup on Thursday, when the Bills take on the Cleveland Browns. Manuel is currently on the outside looking in, as he is working with the Bills’ third team during practice.

According to NFL.com, Manuel “knows his future with the Bills is in doubt.”

Right now, Cassel is Taylor’s only true competition for the starting gig. If Taylor can replicate his performance in preseason week one against the Browns, then he will have a strong case for beginning the season as the Bills’ starting quarterback.