The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and the Kansas City Chiefs were able to bolster their offensive line. After trading back one spot to No. 32, the Chiefs snagged Ohio State OT Josh Simmons.
That move was needed after the Chiefs had struggled along the offensive line last season. In free agency, they signed OT Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million contract. These two additions were needed, but that could spell bad news for OT Jawaan Taylor.
With a new duo at offensive tackle in the wings, Taylor is someone who should be looking over his shoulder. Back in 2023, Taylor signed a four-year, $80 million deal in free agency. He will definitely be on the team this season cause the Chiefs would get slammed with a $34.7 million dead cap hit.
Meanwhile, in 2026, the Chiefs would only get hit with a $7.3 million dead cap hit but would save around $20 million cause his 2026 cap number is listed at $27.3 million.
Despite landing that massive deal, Taylor has been an underwhelming player. In 2023, Taylor finished with a 51.6 overall grade (106th among 137 eligible tackles), 66.4 pass blocking grade (61st among 137 eligible tackles), and a 44.6 run-blocking grade (130th among 137 eligible tackles) per PFF. He also allowed 47 pressures, five sacks, and committed 20 penalties.
Fans were hoping for a bounce-back campaign in 2024, yet it didn't happen. Last season, he posted a 59.9 overall grade (82nd among 140 eligible tackles) and a 56.6 run-blocking grade (95th among 140 eligible tackles). He then committed 17 penalties and gave up seven sacks.
With two new options in the building, the need to keep Taylor around for the long haul is no longer needed. The fact that Moore is set to make less than $20 million a season with Simmons on a rookie deal, the Chiefs will have the chance to use the money they get from releasing Taylor to improve the roster going forward in 2026 and beyond.
Taylor will be around next season but anything past that is chalky.