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Buffalo Bills: Ranking the best departed players in McDermott-Beane era

By Brandon Croce

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 06: (L-R) Shaq Lawson #90, Jordan Phillips #97 and Kevin Johnson #29 of the Buffalo Bills celebrate a sack by Phillips during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 6, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. Buffalo defeats Tennessee 14-7. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 06: (L-R) Shaq Lawson #90, Jordan Phillips #97 and Kevin Johnson #29 of the Buffalo Bills celebrate a sack by Phillips during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 6, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. Buffalo defeats Tennessee 14-7. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills looks for a pass during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills looks for a pass during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

5. Tyrod Taylor

One of the most polarizing players in recent memory with the Buffalo Bills is quarterback Tyrod Taylor. He joined the Bills in 2015, when Rex Ryan was the head coach, and beat out former first round pick EJ Manuel and Matt Cassel.

He would go on to have immediate success in his first season throwing for over 3,000 yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also added 568 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns and would earn a Pro Bowl nod. This was the last time the Bills had a quarterback at the Pro Bowl.

Taylor would remain the starting quarterback for two more seasons, including the first year that Sean McDermott was head coach. However, it never felt like the coaching staff was fully committed to Taylor, especially considering they benched him late in the season to give Nathan Peterman a chance.

Tyrod Taylor eventually was back as starting quarterback and helped the team end the playoff drought. While this was a major accomplishment, the franchise still elected to trade Taylor, and he started a few games for the Cleveland Browns before suffering an injury and the team turning to Baker Mayfield.

He has since spent a few seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, and once again looks to be in line to be the starting quarterback entering the season. However, he will be ahead of a high draft pick in Justin Hebert and may not have much room for error.

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