The Kansas City Chiefs are entering one of the most complicated offseasons of thePatrick Mahomes era, and one of their most expensive investments may be the first casualty.
Jawaan Taylor, signed to a massive deal just three years ago, is widely expected to be released as the franchise works to regain financial flexibility.
When Kansas City handed Taylor a four-year, $80 million contract prior to the 2023 season, the decision reflected urgency.
The Chiefs were determined to solidify their offensive line and protect Mahomes after previous postseason protection issues. The agreement made Taylor the highest-paid right tackle in football at the time, an unusual distinction given that right tackles do not typically command blindside money.
The gamble was rooted in championship ambition. During Taylor’s tenure, Kansas City reached two Super Bowls and secured one Lombardi Trophy. However, individual performance never fully matched the financial commitment. Penalties became a recurring issue, and scrutiny followed him throughout his time in red and gold.
Now, economics are taking precedence over loyalty. The Chiefs are projected to be $54.9 million over the salary cap entering the offseason.
General manager Brett Veach must create room quickly, and Taylor’s contract stands out. His 2026 cap hit is scheduled to be $27.39 million, trailing only Mahomes and defensive cornerstone Chris Jones on the roster. Unlike those two franchise pillars, Taylor is not considered untouchable.
According to The Athletic’s Jesse Newell, the move to release Taylor is essentially inevitable.
“The Chiefs can save $20 million against the cap by cutting the oft-penalized Taylor, who seems destined for a change of scenery at age 28,” Newell wrote. “Kansas City also has a suitable replacement in-house. Jaylon Moore, who signed a two-year free-agent deal last offseason, can easily slide over to right tackle with 2025 first-rounder Josh Simmons securing the left side.”
The financial incentive is difficult to ignore. Releasing Taylor would clear $20 million in cap space, while only $7.39 million would remain as dead money. For a team facing significant restructuring, that relief could be critical.
A transitional moment for Kansas City
The Chiefs’ urgency is amplified by uncertainty surrounding Mahomes. The three-time Super Bowl champion tore his ACL in Week 15 and may miss at least the start of the 2026 season. Kansas City also missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, finishing 6-11 in what was Andy Reid’s first losing season with the franchise.
Those realities signal a pivot. Kansas City is no longer simply defending a dynasty. It is recalibrating. Roster depth must improve, and financial balance must be restored.
Taylor’s departure would mark the end of a bold experiment. The Chiefs paid premium money for stability at right tackle, betting that protecting Mahomes from every angle justified the cost. While team success followed, the individual return on investment remains debatable.