The Kansas City Chiefs made a significant $27 million move on Monday that directly impacts how Patrick Mahomes gets protected next season. Coach Andy Reid announced that the team was releasing offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor, who still had one more year left in his four-year, $80 million deal. Now, with a vacant right tackle position, the franchise has decided to promote a familiar face for the starting job.
According to ESPN’s Nate Taylor, the expectation is that Jaylon Moore will open the 2026 season as the Chiefs’ starting right tackle, replacing Taylor, who spent the past three seasons in Kansas City.
This opportunity doesn’t exactly come out of nowhere. When the Chiefs signed Moore last offseason to a two-year, $30 million deal, the belief was that he would compete for, if not outright claim, a starting left tackle job in 2025. The plan, at least initially, pointed in that direction.
But then Kansas City drafted Josh Simmons in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Simmons impressed quickly and ultimately secured the starting role, protecting Patrick Mahomes’ blind side. He started eight games as a rookie and flashed legitimate upside.
However, circumstances shifted when Simmons stepped away due to an undisclosed family matter. That’s when Moore was inserted into the lineup at left tackle, and he held his own. The 28-year-old appeared in 15 games and made six starts in Simmons’ absence.
Statistically, the performance was steady but not dominant. Moore posted a 57.1 pass-blocking grade and a 62.9 run-blocking grade. Across 427 total snaps (283 at left tackle and 132 at right tackle), he allowed three sacks and 27 pressures. Those numbers aren’t elite, but they’re serviceable, especially considering his play time and availability.
Jaylon Moore transition marks a disciplined shift from Jawaan Taylor
To understand the Chiefs’ move, one must look at the pros and cons of the situation. While Jawaan Taylor possessed the physical tools of a top-tier tackle, his tenure was defined by a lack of discipline. In 2023, Taylor led the NFL with a staggering 24 total penalties. This trend continued in 2025; he was flagged 13 times in just 12 games. For a quarterback like Mahomes, who thrives on rhythm, these infractions led to the loss of yardage and the game momentum.
On the other hand, Jaylon Moore offers a cleaner trajectory. During his 427 snaps in 2025, Moore recorded zero penalties. Moore’s stability provides more opportunities for the offensive unit. Furthermore, his versatility is a metric the Chiefs’ front office highly values.
Last season, Moore effectively split time between both tackle spots, showcasing his versatility that Taylor lacked. By moving Moore to the right, the Chiefs are betting on a player who has already proven he can handle 132 snaps at that specific position.
The Chiefs tackled Jawaan Taylor’s $27M headache
We all saw this coming. The Chiefs’ manipulation of the roster to create flexibility ahead of the new league year isn’t surprising. It’s standard operating procedure. Despite entering the offseason with more than $57 million in cap space, Kansas City has been proactive in reshaping the books.
They already released veteran defensive end Mike Danna and restructured Patrick Mahomes’ contract last month to generate additional room. Now comes the next expected move. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chiefs informed Jawaan Taylor that he will be released before the start of the new league year, barring a trade.
Taylor was scheduled to carry a $27 million cap hit in 2026. By moving on from the 28-year-old, Kansas City clears roughly $20 million.
This decision isn’t purely about numbers. Taylor’s play was serviceable during his three seasons in Kansas City, but discipline remained a persistent issue. He committed 49 penalties (41 accepted) across 45 games with the Chiefs, the highest total of any offensive lineman in that span. That volume of flags inevitably draws scrutiny.
After this move, Kansas City is entering the 2026 free agency period with the ability to pursue a veteran lineman to provide insurance for Josh Simmons.
Current projections for the 2026 starting lineup look something like this:
- Left Tackle: Josh Simmons (2025 1st-round pick)
- Left Guard: Joe Thuney
- Center: Creed Humphrey
- Right Guard: Trey Smith
- Right Tackle: Jaylon Moore
In 2025, even with a rotating cast of tackles, the Chiefs’ offensive line allowed only 28 sacks, placing them in the top 10 for pass protection efficiency. With Moore replacing Taylor, the team expects to see a decrease in the psychological pressure for Mahomes. Also, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Chiefs continue to explore more upgrades through the draft to reinforce the offensive line.
