Tyrod Taylor: Chargers will 'turn a lot of heads' if I'm under center

Tyrod Taylor is a strong candidate to start at quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020, and the signal-caller thinks he could make the most of the opportunity.

"We have a lot of talent on our team," Taylor said, according to Gilbert Manzano of the Orange County Register. "If I am the guy that would be calling the shots, I know for sure that we'll go out and turn a lot of heads."

Taylor added, "I've spoken with our coaches. There hasn't been anything that's been directly told to me (about starting), but I guess through our conversations you get a hint of where the team is going as far as personnel, and ... I can't control what moves would be made and I won't look to control them. "

The Chargers are set to begin a new era following the departure of Philip Rivers after 16 seasons with the team. Los Angeles reportedly plans to move forward with Taylor, who served as Rivers' backup last season.

The Chargers are also a possible destination for a top rookie quarterback, as they currently own the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and they could still sign a veteran.

The team was rumored to be interested in Cam Newton after Taylor posted a photo of him working out with the former MVP, but Taylor said the session had nothing to do with the Chargers.

"Me and Cam have been really good friends since college days. ... So I was working out, and I guess just because of everything going around free agency, I didn't think twice about it when I posted pictures of getting a throwing session," Taylor said.

Taylor last started a game in November 2018 during his lone season with the Cleveland Browns. After the Baltimore Ravens drafted him in 2011, he barely played for his first four years in the NFL, but he then took over the starting role with the Buffalo Bills from 2015-17.

The one-time Pro Bowler completed 62.6% of his passes for 8,857 yards and 51 touchdowns against 16 interceptions through 44 games (43 starts) with the Bills. Taylor, who led Buffalo to the playoffs in the 2017 season, also amassed 14 scores on the ground.