Bills' McDermott praises Taylor's leadership in offseason workouts

Tyrod Taylor almost wasn't a member of the Buffalo Bills this offseason - and beyond - as the team flirted with cutting the quarterback due to issues over his contract.

The Bills and Taylor eventually agreed to restructure his deal, essentially giving him a one-year interview to impress the team's new head coach, Sean McDermott, and new general manager, Brandon Beane.

While Taylor's future will be determined by his play during games, the veteran pivot has already caught McDermott's attention.

"I've really been impressed with the leadership ... the intangible qualities that are inherent or must be inherent to that quarterback position," McDermott said last week, according to The Buffalo News' Vic Carucci. "I've watched him develop in those areas and that's important as we look to move forward. There's leadership qualities at that quarterback position that are important to winning football games, and I think he's done a nice job in that area."

Told of McDermott's praise, Taylor said it "means a lot."

The 27-year-old has put together back-to-back solid seasons as the Bills' starter despite a lack of receiving weapons. However, Buffalo has gone 15-17 over that span, leading some to question if he's the long-term answer at the position.

With his job potentially on the line, Taylor says he's prioritized being more vocal in the Bills' locker room - something he admits doesn't come easily.

"Me and Coach McDermott have been talking since day one, as far as just stretching myself and just being more of a vocal leader, and that's something that wasn't always natural for me," Taylor said. "I've always been a lead-by-example guy, (but it's) my third year here, seventh in the league.

"Guys look to me and guys look for veterans for that vocal leadership. And that's why I have to step in and go out there and display it every day, not only be verbal with it, but also show it in my approach and what I do each and every day."