Coach Anthony Lynn confirmed Wednesday that Taylor will serve as the Chargers' starting quarterback Week 1 at Cincinnati, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The Chargers never offered any sign that there was any real competition for the job, but it's nonetheless useful to have confirmation of Taylor's role. Training-camp footage from HBO's "Hard Knocks" hinted at Justin Herbert having some trouble learning coordinator Shane Steichen's offense, whereas Taylor is a 10-year veteran who already spent one season working with Steichen in Los Angeles. Herbert should still have a decent chance of making starts before the end of the season, but Taylor should have a pretty long leash early in the year.