Darrell Taylor: Football| Contract| Injury| Stats| PFF| Contract

Darrell Taylor: Football Career, NFL Contracts, Injury History, Stats & PFF Grades

Darrell Taylor’s journey in the NFL has been a mix of high expectations, flashes of pass-rush potential, battles with injuries, and evolving roles on multiple teams. From his standout collegiate career at Tennessee to his professional stops with the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, and Houston Texans, Taylor’s story is one of persistence and passion in one of the most physically demanding positions in football — edge defender.

In this comprehensive breakdown, we’ll explore his contracts, injury background, detailed performance metrics, Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades, and what to expect next in his NFL career.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Born on March 24, 1997, in Hopewell, Virginia, Darrell Lamond Taylor Jr. quickly established himself as a dominant force at Hopewell High School before committing to the University of Tennessee. At Tennessee, Taylor displayed explosive athleticism and pass-rushing ability that made him one of the top defensive prospects in the nation entering the NFL Draft.

His combination of size, speed, and power off the edge made him a coveted draft target.

NFL Draft and Entry — Seattle Seahawks

Taylor entered the 2020 NFL Draft and was selected in the second round (48th overall) by the Seattle Seahawks. The pick demonstrated Seattle’s belief in his potential as a future impact pass rusher.

However, his rookie season was derailed as he spent the entire year on the non-football injury list recovering from a leg injury sustained in college. This setback cost him valuable development time and forced him to build his career from a redshirt-style start.

NFL Contracts: Progression and Deals

Rookie Contract with the Seahawks (2020–2023)

Taylor’s initial four-year contract with the Seahawks carried modest guarantees and typical rookie money for a second-round pick. While not blockbuster by NFL standards, it reflected Seattle’s investment in his long-term potential.

After his rookie year, Taylor re­-established himself in the Seahawks rotation. Ultimately, he produced several productive seasons, including a team-leading pass rush in 2022 with 9.5 sacks.

Trade to the Bears (2024)

Despite flashes of productivity in Seattle, Taylor’s role diminished under new coaching and scheme fit issues, leading to a trade to the Chicago Bears in August 2024 in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2025 draft.

In Chicago, he appeared in nearly every game, making 32 total tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.

One-Year Deal with the Houston Texans (2025)

The most recent move in Taylor’s career was signing a **one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Houston Texans in March 2025. The deal includes:

• $4.75 million base salary

• $2 million signing bonus

• Up to $500,000 in per-game active roster bonuses

• $250,000 in incentives

This “prove-it” deal gives Taylor a chance to showcase his skills behind elite pass rushers and solidify his value for future negotiations.

PFF Grades and Professional Performance

Pro Football Focus evaluates players not just on box-score stats but on grading every play to assess consistency, efficiency, and overall value. According to PFF’s analysis:

• 2024 Overall PFF Grade: 59.8

• Pass Rush Grade: 70.5

• Run Defense Grade: 50.3

• Total Pressures (2024): 31

• Sacks (2024): 3

• Solo Tackles: 23

• Forced Fumbles: 2

These metrics paint the picture of a solid rotational edge rusher — one who generates pressure and makes impact plays but has room to grow in consistency and run defense.

What Do PFF Grades Really Mean?

Unlike traditional NFL stats (like sacks and tackles), PFF grades give context:

• A 70+ pass rush grade signals above-average ability to disrupt the quarterback.

• Run defense grades help expose areas where a player might struggle to contain ground attacks.

• These grades help teams and analysts forecast future roles or contract value.

Taylor’s roughly average overall grade shows his potential upside with more refined play and scheme fit.

Injury History and Impact

Taylor’s injury history has been a defining part of his narrative.

Early Career Injury

He missed all of his rookie season (2020) due to a leg injury suffered in college, which affected his early continuity.

2024 Shoulder and Knee Issues

Reports also noted some shoulder and knee injury flags during the 2024 season, affecting availability and consistency. While not season ending, these injuries underscored concerns about durability — a common issue for edge defenders given the physicality of the NFL trenches.

Staying healthy will be key for Taylor to maximize his role in the Texans’ defense and prove worth beyond short-term contracts.

Career NFL Statistics (Summary)

Below is a snapshot of Taylor’s NFL career productivity in key categories:

These aggregate stats reflect consistent rotational production, though his pass rush hasn’t yet reached elite levels.

Contract Value and Future Earnings

Taylor’s current one-year deal allows him to:

• Build value in a supporting role behind standout pass rushers

• Compete for increased playing time if injuries or scheme changes occur

• Put up numbers that could translate into a multi-year contract in 2026 free agency

PFF also projected that a strong 2025 could lead to a more lucrative contract (e.g., 2 years, $10.5M with $6M guaranteed) — though this remains speculative based on performance.

How Teams Use Darrell Taylor

Rotational Edge Rusher

Taylor thrives in situational pass-rush roles, often entering on passing downs to pressure quarterbacks. His pressure numbers show he can generate disruption even without high snap counts.

Depth and Special Teams

Because of injuries and competition, Taylor has also contributed on special teams and provided depth behind top starters — an important role in today’s NFL.

Impact Beyond the Stats

While numbers tell part of the story, Taylor’s presence:

• Brings energy and effort to the defensive line

• Keeps offenses honest with his ability to create chaos off the edge

• Offers leadership value as a veteran who’s seen multiple schemes and coaching staffs

These intangible qualities contribute to his continued NFL employment and opportunities.

What’s Next for Darrell Taylor?

Entering the 2025 season with the Houston Texans, Taylor will look to:

• Improve consistency and increase his PFF overall grade

• Stay healthy across the regular season

• Add more sacks and pressures to boost his free-agency value in 2026

Playing alongside stars like Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter could elevate his opportunities and allow him to shine in a complementary role.

FAQs

1. What is Darrell Taylor’s current NFL contract?

Darrell Taylor signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Houston Texans for the 2025 season, including signing bonuses and performance incentives.

2. Has Darrell Taylor suffered major injuries?

His most significant early injury was a leg injury that sidelined him for his entire rookie year (2020). He’s also had shoulder and knee issues but nothing career-ending as of the latest reports.

3. How has PFF graded Darrell Taylor?

As of the 2024 season, PFF gave Taylor an overall grade around 59.8, with a 70.5 pass rush grade, showing he’s solid but not among elite edge rushers yet.

4. What are Taylor’s career sack totals?

Over his NFL career through 2024, Taylor has totaled about 24.5 sacks across his time with Seattle and Chicago before joining Houston.

5. What role does Taylor play for the Texans?

Taylor is expected to serve as a rotational edge rusher, providing pass rush depth behind key starters and contributing pressure when called upon.