:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57617001/873356538.jpg.0.jpg)
On Wednesday, the Buffalo Bills dropped the hammer that Tyrod Taylor, the Bills incumbent starter since 2015, is headed to the bench and will be replaced by 2017 fifth-round pick Nathan Peterman for this week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Just like many of us who follow the Bills on a daily basis, the national media seems to be in absolute shock by the move. They also seem to disagree with the switch, with Buffalo right in the thick of the playoff hunt.
Here is what some of the national media had to say, keeping in mind that there was very little to any support nationally in favor of Peterman’s promotion, the timing of the move, or the reasons behind it.
On Taylor seemingly being the scapegoat for the Bills problems this season:
Bills wyd pic.twitter.com/lXbWG5zDXd
— SB Nation (@SBNation) November 15, 2017
Benching Tyrod Taylor for Nathan Pederman is totally absurd. I can't even wrap my mind around a current *playoff team* doing this.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) November 15, 2017
The Jets debacle was about penalties and self induced mistakes. Sean McDermott's defense gave up 47 points against the Saints, including 6 rushing TDs. And it is Tyrod Taylor's fault?!?! Terrible decision.
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) November 15, 2017
So easy to blame the QB1 when the team struggles. @buffalobills issues extend well beyond the QB. Defense hasn't played well the last few weeks, but No.5 takes the fall? Another example of the QB2 being the most popular guy in town https://t.co/UGDwCnzo0Y
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) November 15, 2017
Tyrod Taylor has a 91.4 passer rating, better than Dalton, Mariota, or Roethlisberger this year https://t.co/iwQUXi5xds pic.twitter.com/ttfXaw2i0M
— ProFootballReference (@pfref) November 15, 2017
The Bills didn’t want Tyrod in the first place.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) November 15, 2017
I mean, if Tyrod Taylor wanted to play, he shouldn’t have let the Saints run for 298 yards on him https://t.co/Vh6E0vDIUn
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) November 15, 2017
The list of QB this season with 10+ TD and 3 or less INT:
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 15, 2017
Tom Brady
Aaron Rodgers
Alex Smith
Tyrod Taylor pic.twitter.com/ZGhYWXICti
I bet the people who think Lamar Jackson should play wide receiver are in favor of benching Taylor for Peterman.
— Aaron Schatz (@FO_ASchatz) November 15, 2017
Nathan Peterman is the fake prosthetic nose you wear after cutting off your Tyrod Taylor to spite your face
— Pablo S. Torre (@PabloTorre) November 15, 2017
On what the future might hold for Taylor:
The Bills have benched Tyrod Taylor for Nathan Peterman. They pay Taylor $441,176 per week. They pay Peterman $465,000 FOR THE SEASON.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) November 15, 2017
Tyrod Taylor is due a $6 million roster bonus on the third day of league year, and a $10 million base salary - can’t imagine Buffalo pays it. So it looks like 2018 QB free agent class now will have one more intriguing player.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2017
On trying to get folks familiar with Peterman:
New Bills starter Nathan Peterman doesn't have elite physical traits, but he was highly efficient in his two seasons at Pitt (47 TD passes and only 15 INTs). At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, his hand size will suit him to the cold weather in Buffalo. The comp I... https://t.co/PBM8nc6fC5
— Mel Kiper Jr. (@MelKiperESPN) November 15, 2017
Nathan Peterman gets his first @buffalobills start Sunday. A clip from the @Pitt_FB alum's visit to Gruden's QB Camp this spring: https://t.co/CpptKGfYuV pic.twitter.com/e79rClXYqj
— bill hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) November 15, 2017