Veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor has agreed to a one-year deal with the Houston Texans worth up to $12.5 million, according to multiple media reports.
Taylor is now the only quarterback on the Texans' roster other than Deshaun Watson, who has requested a trade.
Taylor, 31, last played for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2019 and 2020. He was the starter there before a bizarre, accidental lung puncture by a team doctor who was supposed to be administering a pain-killing injection to Taylor's cracked ribs.
The incident thrusted rookie quarterback Justin Herbert into the starting role, and he went on to claim NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Prior to his two-year run with the Chargers, Taylor spent the 2018 season with the Cleveland Browns. He spent three seasons before that with the Buffalo Bills, and his first four NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
Taylor reunites with his former quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton, who coached him in Los Angeles and now the holds the same role in Houston.
Hamilton is also the Texans' passing game coordinator.
Taylor has passed for 9,770 yards, 54 touchdowns and 20 interceptions with a 61.4 completions percentage in 10 NFL seasons.
His contract with the Texans is incentive-laden, according to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. It can be worth up to $12.5 million, but the base value is less than half that amount, according to Pelissero.
This adds an interesting element to the Texans' standoff with Watson, who apparently has made it clear he does not plan to play again for Houston.
While the Texans could seek their long term replacement for Watson in a trade, they have a short-term fill-in with Taylor as a capable starter.