Reporting live from Florham Park, NJ— It’s never easy being the son of a former NFL player, let alone that player being a Hall-of-Fame player like Jason Taylor.
The former Dolphin and New York Jet star has taken on a new role in his life now: father to second-round tight end Mason. The Jets drafted Mason with the 42nd overall pick just two weeks ago in the hopes he would provide immediate help in the passing game.
Just because Taylor plays a different position than his edge-rushing father used to, it doesn’t mean he’s trying to ignore the shadow cast by Jason.
Instead, Mason is relishing the opportunity to build off what his father once put out there on the field, even if it remains rare that the son of a former legend is relishing the idea of stepping into his father’s footsteps.
Mason Taylor Address Playing Shadow
Speaking to reporters following the completion of the first day of Jets rookie minicamp, Taylor spoke in depth about the impact his father and Hall-of-Fame uncle Zach Thomas have had on his playing career.
Unlike most children of NFL stars, Mason is excited for the opportunity to live in his father’s shadow.
“I think a lot of people have a lot of high expectations because of the last name. When people say, ‘Oh, let him have his shine,’ I love it. We’re family. Him and my uncle Zach. I want to be like them. You can call it living in their shadows, but I love modeling my game after theirs.
“Just their hard work, and how they weren’t highly recruited coming to the NFL…I look up to those guys for sure.”
Taylor was the all-time leader in receiving by a tight end in LSU history last season. He remains an athletic freak who should be able to produce right away on an NFL field.
The good news is that we have already begun to see that a bit during the first day of rookie camp. Taylor took a shovel pass early on in 11-on-11 drills and could have raced for a long touchdown had the play not been blown dead.
He may not be what his father once was, but Taylor doesn’t care about anything like that. Instead, he just wants to learn from his father and uncle and learn the best way to be part of the Taylor legacy in the NFL.
Part of that means accepting advice when his father is looking to give it.
“He shot me a text saying to be where my feet are,” Mason said about Jason communicating with him before the start of rookie camp. “It’s something I’ve done my whole life…being where your feet are will show your consistency and build trust with your coaches and players as well.”
Taylor is right where he needs to be in New York. He’ll compete for a starting job and potentially be a key part in the Jets’ turnaround soon.
The fact that he’s willing to embrace the pressures of being the son of a Hall-of-Fame edge rusher shows that the Jets are in good hands with the Taylor family moving forward.
