Jason Taylor overwhelmed by son Mason following in his footsteps with Jets
Mason Taylor #TE20 of LSU participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 28, 2025 in Indianapolis. Credit: Getty Images
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Jason Taylor was fighting to hold back the tears, but it was futile. The proud father became emotional after his son Mason was drafted by one of the teams Jason played for during his 15-year Hall of Fame career.
Jason Taylor, a former long-time Dolphin, spent one season with the Jets in 2010. Mason Taylor, a tight end from LSU, was taken by the Jets in the second round Friday night with the No. 42 pick. Knowing his son will be following in his footsteps overwhelmed Jason Taylor.
“It means everything,” the former defensive end said. “The sun has set on my career and I’m done. It’s awesome to be able to sit back and watch him. But for him to walk through the same facilities, the same locker room, that same path that I took, it’s humbling.”
Mason Taylor was 6 years old when his father was a Jet. He remembers going to school in Manhattan, going to Central Park and running around with his siblings and sitting in the stands at MetLife Stadium.
A photo circulated on social media of Mason Taylor at MetLife with his hair painted green and “JETS” written across his forehead wearing his dad’s No. 99 jersey.
“I’ve got a lot of really, really fond memories,” Jason said. “My greatest team success was in New York.”
That’s saying something. Taylor was on the last Jets team to make the postseason. They lost in the AFC Championship Game.
“Is that right?” Jason said incredulously. “Let’s change that. Let’s go. Let’s change that. Aaron Glenn is going to do a good job and change that.”
Glenn, the Jets’ first-time head coach, and Taylor are acquaintances. They remember competing against each other many times as part of the Jets-Dolphins AFC East rivalry and there is mutual respect. Mason Taylor’s bloodlines definitely played a part in the Jets drafting him.
“I just trust that Jason, just in his DNA, put what he had into his son and it shows up on tape,” Glenn said.
The Jets needed to add someone to the tight end room after losing Tyler Conklin in free agency. Taylor, Jeremy Ruckert and free-agent signing Stone Smartt give the Jets some depth at the position.
Taylor is a big young man at 6-5, 251 pounds. He made 55 catches as a junior — eighth in the country among tight ends — for 546 yards and two touchdowns. He finished his college career as the most productive tight end in LSU history.
Glenn said Taylor’s “versatility” stood out.
“He could do it all,’’ he added. “He can block. He could be a receiving threat, and just knowing that his father’s played in this league and be able to impart some of that wisdom on him.”
Mason Taylor grew up around football and knows what it takes to be successful in the NFL. Not only is his father a legend, but his uncle is, too.
Zach Thomas was a Hall of Fame player for the Dolphins and a former teammate of Jason Taylor’s. Jason said Thomas was even more emotional than he was when Mason was picked.
Mason said he’s never felt as if he’s in his father’s shadow and doesn’t feel any pressure following in his footsteps.
“It doesn’t really bother me at all,” he said. “I love it. He’s my motivator. He’s the guy I look up to. People saying I’m in his shadow, that really doesn’t affect me. I’m doing hard work just like he did . . . I’m going to look up to him, do what he did and hopefully have the same outcome he did in his career.”
Mason Taylor is confident in himself and the player he can become.
“My game as a whole, I think the sky’s the roof for me,” he said. “I feel like I have so much potential, so much growth ready to become. I can’t wait to get coached up by NFL coaches and learn from vets.”
The Taylors live in South Florida, and Jason said he was hoping the Dolphins — who selected six picks before the Jets — would take his son. But when it was the Jets, Jason led a Jets chant at the draft party at his house. He reprised it on a Zoom call with reporters.
“I gotta say it,” the Hall of Famer said. “J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
