The Kansas City Chiefs are still $6 million over the cap, according to Spotrac, and not yet in a position to be able to make splashy moves. However, it seems that this isn't slowing the franchise down from planning ahead with Packer Report's Easton Butler pointing out that "The Patriots and Chiefs are expected to be top suitors for LT Rasheed Walker, per Jason La Canfora. The league expectation is that Walker will likely receive a contract that surpasses the one Dan Moore got last year from the Titans, being a 4-year, $82 million deal."
Kansas City being in the running for one of the league's top tackles, hitting free agency spells the end for Jawaan Taylor's time with the Chiefs. Already, it made sense to cut the veteran, saving $20 million in space and putting KC safely within assigned cap space. The fact that the franchise is interested in signing Walker should put to bed any thoughts that a contract restructure or Taylor staying is a possibility.
What is interesting is what this means for Jaylon Moore and Josh Simmons, who were the expected starters for the 2026 season. Bringing in Walker would obviously change this dynamic and demand that the duo compete for the right tackle position with Walker being paid as the blindside protector for Patrick Mahomes.
Jawaan Taylor's Time with Chiefs Clearly Coming to an End After Latest Free Agency Report
It does make sense that the Chiefs want to be aggressive in protecting their star quarterback coming off a season-ending ACL injury. Mahomes was so often buying time and forced to be the main source of rushing yardage that it makes sense to not only bring in a rusher but to solidify the offensive line.
Both of these moves require creating cap space, and Taylor has made that extremely easy based on his level of play. While the tackle has offered above-average protection for much of his tenure, there are unexplainable plays where it seems his footwork devolves, and he simply whiffs on the pass rusher in front of him.
This isn't the most alarming factor, with the consistent penalties and nonstop presnap mistakes being the true deciding factor in why the Chiefs need to turn the page. If this leads to an obvious upgrade in Walker and more depth along the offensive line, fans will have reason to begin believing that the 2026 season is going to end far differently.
For Taylor, this move is truly overdue based on the mistakes and the high standard that KC holds its players to. No question, the tackle is going to be cut this offseason, and the team's interest in Walker simply confirms what was already an expected move early on in the 2026 offseason.