MIAMI -- Buffalo Bills starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor has a lot on his plate entering the 2016 season. Not only is Taylor an important piece to Buffalo's success, but he's also playing in the final year of his contract.

Taylor has a base salary of $3.1 million this season, which is a bargain for a starting quarterback. By comparison, quarterbacks such as Case Keenum ($3.6 million), Mark Sanchez ($4.5 million), Sam Bradford ($7 million) and Colin Kaepernick ($11.9 million) all have higher salaries without the type of production Taylor had last season.

Taylor threw for 3,035 yards, 20 touchdowns and had a 99.4 passer rating in his first year as a starter. Another quality season could lead to a sizable payday in 2017. However, Taylor is keeping his focus on the field with training camp set to begin later this month.

Another quality season could lead to a sizable payday for Tyrod Taylor in 2017. Jim Rogash/Getty Images

"The contract situation will play out. My mindset is to go out there and win games," Taylor told ESPN this weekend, while attending a business conference put together by his agent Adisa Bakari. "Do whatever it takes to win games, lead the guys, be the leader on the field, off the field and a commander. But I'm not necessarily focused on the contract. I can't control that. ... I've always been one that focuses on the things I can control, and that's going to be my preparation and how I go out there and play. I'll let everything else take care of itself."

Buffalo is a football town hungry for a playoff berth. The Bills have the NFL's longest current postseason drought at 16 years. Taylor was 10 years old when Buffalo lost in the "Music City Miracle" to the Tennessee Titans.

Taylor went 8-6 as a starter last season and believes his 2016 Bills have the potential to be even better.

"Yes, we're definitely positive in the locker room," Taylor said. "We want to be the ones that change that mindset. The community is definitely ready for something to happen, as far as a playoff run, and I think we have the talent to do so."

Taylor waited four years for his opportunity to become a full-time starter. He was a former sixth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2011 and previously served as Joe Flacco's backup. Taylor says he's thankful to have gotten a Super Bowl ring in just his second year, but his goal is to lead his own team to the big game as its starting quarterback.

Defending NFL MVP Cam Newton also provides an interesting blueprint for Taylor. Both were drafted in the same year and provide dual threats as mobile quarterbacks. Taylor said he's developed a rapport with Newton over the years, and the Carolina Panthers quarterback's career trajectory has inspired Taylor.

"Our skill sets are similar," Taylor said. "Do I believe I can be potentially an NFL MVP? I definitely have the confidence in my game. But I just gotta take it one game at a time. I definitely see the growth from last year to this spring. I just gotta continue to take steps forward and perfect my game."