One consistent source of frustration for the Kansas City Chiefs over the last two years has been starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor. What has made the experience so infuriating is the consistent self-inflicted penalties with 20 coming in 2025 and racking up 13 penalties in 12 games this season before being placed on IR with a triceps injury.
This has only furthered the case that the Chiefs will be turning the page from the right tackle at the end of the season. Kansas City is projected to have negative cap space in the 2026 offseason, and cutting Taylor will save $20 million in cap space. If anything, the Chiefs are better off with Taylor out of the starting lineup and using Jaylon Moore as the full-time right tackle next season. Adding to the security of the move is the fact that Esa Pole has been shockingly capable since stepping into the starting lineup and could be a strong backup next season.
Kansas City has its bases covered and has no reason to continue to keep a liability in Taylor. While the tackle is a capable blocker, his mental mistakes cannot continue to be overlooked.
Chiefs Clearly Getting Ready to Cut Right Tackle Jawaan Taylor in Pivotal 2026 Offseason
Accepting Taylor's consistent failures was indicative of a franchise that had grown too comfortable with pulling itself from the fire at the last minute. The Chiefs were spoiled by the greatness of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and the clutch gene of Patrick Mahomes. Eventually, the reliance on this duo caught up with the results of the 2025 season, serving as evidence.
Not only is parting ways with Taylor about opening up new cap space, but it sets an important standard. One that the Chiefs must take into the 2026 offseason if they hope to turn the corner and prove that this past year's struggles were an outlier. Taylor is overpaid and no longer worth the liability the tackle has proven to be anytime he steps onto the field.
Moore is perfectly capable of stepping into the starting lineup, and left tackle appears to have a bright future with Josh Simmons solidifying the other side. This leaves Pole as a clear option and swing tackle, and leaves zero reason to even entertain keeping Taylor at the end of the season.
For the Chiefs, it is a great move that not only sends a message but goes a long way in clearing up needed cap space for offseason improvements. No question, it appears that Taylor has played his last down as a Kansas City Chief.