Overpaid Chief Robbed the Team Blind With 2024 Performance

It's hard to argue that many of Chiefs general manager Brett Veach's decisions were bad ones, but there is one recent acquisition that's drawn the ire of fans all cross the Kingdom.

RT Jawaan Taylor, who holds the fourth-largest cap hit on the team, has been serviceable but far less than exceptional for his position since joining the organization on a four-year, $80 million contract prior to the 2023 campaign.

Given the issues Kansas City has dealt with on the offensive line and Taylor's outsized role in them, it's fair to call the contract a mistake.

Chiefs RT Jawaan Taylor's Contract Has Been a Mistake

Despite the outsized salary, Taylor ranks 83rd out of 141 qualified tackles at Pro Football Focus. He's committed 17 penalties and allowed eight sacks, frequently leaving Patrick Mahomes in harm's way during a year in which he dealt with an ankle injury once again.

If Taylor's salary wasn't so high, this wouldn't be a problem. He's faced a difficult schedule of opposing defensive ends, yet the performance still hasn't measured up to the expectations and dollar amount. With big decisions ahead on the offensive line regarding Trey Smith, many fans are regretting the decision to bring Taylor on board.

The nature of his contract means that Taylor won't be a wise cut candidate until after the 2025 season. He'd carry a dead cap of over $34 million if cut prior to then, but the figure falls to just $7.3 million after that. Hopefully by that time, someone like Kingsley Suamataia or Wanya Morris could be a reliable starting option on the right side.

Taylor has bright spots and started for last year's Super Bowl champions, so it's not as if he's an impossible barrier between the team and success. He does leave a lot to be desired though, and it's increasingly likely that Kansas City will get out of the contract once the opportunity presents itself.

More Kansas City Chiefs News: