qq. Chiefs’ Starting Right Tackle Quietly Seeking Trade After Sharp Performance Decline – But Where Will He Land?
Kansas City, MO – The Kansas City Chiefs are bracing for one of the most turbulent offseasons of the Mahomes era. And behind closed doors, a major shift has already begun. Team sources say a veteran starter has quietly begun preparing for his departure after being informed that he is no longer in the franchise’s long-term plans.
Inside the building, the conversation happened late this week as the Chiefs evaluated personnel amid their slip to 6–6. With a projected $60 million cap deficit looming in 2026, Kansas City has started signaling to several high-priced veterans that the organization is ready to move on.
That message landed heavily on Jawaan Taylor, the right tackle signed to a four-year, $80 million contract in 2023. His performance downturn has become impossible to overlook. Taylor has posted a rough53.3 PFF grade, ranking near the bottom among qualified tackles, and his 13 penalties — the most at his position — have repeatedly killed offensive drives for a unit already struggling to regain rhythm.
The coaching staff, led by Andy Reid, has now made it clear they plan to forward next season without him. For Taylor, the reality of that meeting has accelerated quiet efforts to explore a fresh opportunity elsewhere.
Financially, the move aligns perfectly with the Chiefs’ cap strategy. Releasing or trading Taylor would free roughly $20 million, a massive number for a roster facing the tightest financial squeeze it has seen in years. Kansas City is also confident internally in swing tackleJaylon Moore, who has gained momentum as a potential full-time replacement.
Taylor’s agents have already begun gauging interest from teams expected to be aggressive in rebuilding their offensive lines. Around the league, several evaluators still believe the former Jaguars standout could reset his value in a system less sensitive to pre-snap discipline.
Inside Arrowhead, the message is unmistakable. The Chiefs’ window remains open — but only if the roster is reconfigured rapidly. Taylor’s looming departure is simply the first domino.
As Kansas City pushes toward the postseason, the tension of an approaching overhaul lingers in the background. For Jawaan Taylor, it appears the next chapter is already unfolding far from the Chiefs’ future plans.
