Tyrod Taylor expects to be pushed for his backup quarterback job this offseason.
The four-year veteran has been Joe Flacco's backup for the last three seasons, but he is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and the Ravens have indicated they want to bring another option into the mix.
Taylor has expected the Ravens to add another quarterback this offseason, as he has faced competition for his spot in training camp each of the last three seasons.
"There has been somebody in here every year," Taylor said Saturday at Torrey Smith's charity basketball game. "Me and Joe compete every day. We know where we stand. I'm trying to get better each and every day. Competition – I never shy away from that. That's the name of this game."
Over the last three seasons, Taylor has beat out Caleb Hanie, Curtis Painter and John Beck for the No. 2 job. The Ravens were reportedly interested in and spoke with quarterback Brandon Weeden before he signed with the Dallas Cowboys on March 17. Weeden would have been Taylor's most-seasoned competition with 23 starts the last two years in Cleveland.
The Ravens have carried just two quarterbacks on the roster since Taylor entered the league as a sixth-round draft pick, putting Taylor next in line if Flacco were to go down with an injury. Flacco has never missed a start in his career, so playing time has been sparse for Taylor.
In limited action, Taylor has completed 54.3 percent (19-of-35) of his passes for 199 yards, with two interceptions. He also has 23 carries for 139 yards and a touchdown.
"We've been very happy with Tyrod, and we feel like he has a great future, but we have been a little disappointed how he's played in games certainly," Head Coach John Harbaugh said last week at the owners meetings. "We feel like he's a lot better than he's showed. I know he feels that way too."
Taylor and Harbaugh have spoken about his performances and the Ravens' plans to bring in another quarterback.
"We've talked about it," Taylor said. "Competition, that's across the league every day. You have to compete for your job to stay here."
To make strides in his game, Tayor has focused his attention this offseason on improving his footwork and quickness in releasing the ball. He has also bulked up and added some weight to his upper body.
"I wanted to put on a couple more pounds," Taylor said. "I felt like I was a little light at the end of last year."
The Ravens could ad a veteran quarterback to the roster in the next few weeks, or they could use the draft as an avenue to bring in another signal caller.
"It's a challenge," Taylor said. "You just go out there and try to better yourself each and every day. This is a big year for me. I'm just trying to showcase what I can do."
