KEY POINTS

  • Tyrod Taylor signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2019
  • He is set to earn $5 million this season
  • Taylor won the Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens

Tyrod Taylor is just warming up for the season, but he might not be able to play indefinitely due to a freak injury.

Taylor has been rushed to the hospital for medical attention before their game against Kansas City Chiefs. It was found out later that his lungs got accidentally punctured, not by his own doing, but the team doctor after the latter tried to inject painkillers to a nagging rib injury suffered by the quarterback, a report from CBS Sports revealed.

It remains to be seen how the latest setback would affect the Los Angeles Chargers’ chances this season. The team signed Taylor in 2019 for a 2-year, $11 million deal. According to Sportac, $6 million from the $11 million deal was guaranteed and the deal also included a $5 million signing bonus, spread over two year. The injured QB would surely need the guaranteed money from his contract, considering he would be sidelined indefinitely due to the injury.

Tyrod Taylor Cleveland Browns
Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 16, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Taylor can file a formal grievance if he wants to. Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert stepped up in the starting QB’s absence and he did well, but as the season moves along, he will have to prove he can be a worthy replacement. Los Angeles’ fate is literally on the hands of an inexperienced rookie. The signing of Taylor addressed that gap last year. His wealth of experience can provide stability in offense and direction of the Chargers.

The Hampton, Virginia native was drafted in 2011 by the Baltimore Ravens. He was supposed to be an understudy of Joe Flacco in Baltimore but after four seasons, Taylor signed a deal with the Buffalo Bills for what would be the largest paycheck of his career. He earned a total of $25 million for his three seasons as starting QB of the Bills. His performance improved after stepping outside the shadow of Flacco, and he even managed a Pro Bowl appearance in 2017. He did, however, win a Super Bowl with the Ravens.

After playing for the Bills, he had a one-year stint with the Cleveland Browns in 2018. His one-year stay earned him a total of $16 million paycheck, which included a $6 million roster bonus.

The 31-year-old can still play this season, but it depends how fast he can recover from his injury. Fans are still hoping he can make a return and recapture his stellar play in college when he won several awards such as 2008 ACC Championship Game MVP, the 2010 ACC Championship Game MVP, the 2010 Offensive Player of the Year, and the 2010 ACC Player of the Year, per Celebrity Net Worth.