NFL teams
Mike Rodak, ESPN Staff Writer 7y

Bills QB Tyrod Taylor puts frustration on display for media

NFL, Buffalo Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- A frustrated Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor was recorded as saying, "I'm done talking" as he walked away from the podium after his regular Wednesday news conference.

Taylor also threw down his practice jersey that he had taken off before speaking to reporters.

It is unclear whether Taylor meant he was done speaking to reporters for the day or for the remainder of the season. The NFL's media policy prohibits players from boycotting the media during the regular season.

Taylor said Wednesday that he should be judged on "wins and losses" and noted that the Bills, at 6-6 and in 11th place in the AFC, still have a chance for the postseason. When a reporter began to ask a follow-up question about how Taylor will be judged if the Bills miss the playoffs, the quarterback cut off the question and responded, "this week, fellas. This week. Talk about this week."

Now 26 games into his career as the Bills' starting quarterback, Taylor has posted a 14-12 record but has seen a decline in several key statistics, including completion percentage, yards per pass attempt, touchdowns and passer rating. Overall, the Bills average 181.5 passing yards per game, which ranks 32nd in the NFL.

Taylor deflected several other questions during the Wednesday news conference about his performance in recent games, including Sunday's 38-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders. After completing eight of nine passes in the first quarter, Taylor went 10-of-26 passing for 89 yards over the final three quarters and finished the game with a 55.8 quarterback rating. He was testy with reporters after the game, responding with short or one-word answers to some questions.

"I've taken everything that y'all have stood up here and asked me, right in the chest," he said Wednesday. "It doesn't affect me emotionally or physically. I take that every week. Whoever y'all want to blame, I'll take that. Like I said, my job is to get the team into a position where we can win Sundays. Can I be better, yes? But it doesn't just take me; it's a collective effort out there on the field, each and every Sunday."

As part of a contract extension signed in August, the Bills must guarantee Taylor $30 million if he remains on their roster past the fourth day of the 2017 league year, which begins in March. His performance this season has raised questions about whether the Bills will keep Taylor as their quarterback next season.

"My future in Buffalo is this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That's what matters the most," Taylor said. "Other than that, I don't feel like talking about my contract. We still have games to play."

Coach Rex Ryan has defended Taylor's performance this season but has not directly answered questions about whether Taylor will be the quarterback in 2017.

"I'm pleased with Tyrod Taylor," Ryan said Monday. "I think he gives us the best chance to win. I think he's a good quarterback. But our focus is strictly on Pittsburgh, so anything past that I don't think it's even an appropriate conversation right now.

"I just think it is easy to sit back and be critical, but if you are playing without five receivers in the game, I have a feeling you are not -- regardless if it is Tom Brady or anybody else -- I think it is going to affect you."

Running back LeSean McCoy also came to Taylor's defense Wednesday.

"A lot of people have taken shots," he said. "That's all opinion based. I stand behind him because I'm in the same locker room with him. I watch the same tape. Are there plays that he's missed? Yeah. Are there plays that I've missed? Yeah."

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