The Kansas City Chiefs need more out of their offensive line, and that includes incumbent options like Jawaan Taylor, who will be pushed by new additions in Jaylon Moore and Josh Simmons. Former sports agent Joel Corry believes Taylor could have a “bounce-back season.”
He might not have a choice.
Former Agent Drops Telling Take on Chiefs OT Jawaan Taylor
Chiefs OT Jawaan Taylor on ‘Bounce-Back’ Watchlist
A repeat of 2024, or even a season in which Taylor is only marginally better than he has been over the past two seasons, 2025 could be his final season in a Chiefs uniform.
“Taylor was surprisingly given a four-year, $80 million contract with $60 million in guarantees, of which $40 million was fully guaranteed at signing, in 2023 free agency. He hasn’t come close to living up to his contract,” Corry, now an analyst for CBS Sports, wrote on August 29. “Taylor’s days in Kansas City will surely be numbered with another disappointing season since his replacement, Moore, is already on the roster.”
CLIP
Taylor, who turns 28 in November, tied with Dion Dawkins of the Buffalo Bills and Tyler Guyton of the Dallas Cowboys for the second-most penalties among players in 2024, finishing behind only Laremy Tunsil, then of the Houston Texans, per The Football Database.
That is notable. The Chiefs received the fourth-fewest flags against them in the league during the 2024 regular season.
Chiefs Built to Move on From Jawaan Taylor
The Chiefs know their tackle play was a problem, hence the move for Moore. He may have to bide his time amid Simmons’ early emergence.
“The Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore, who was a swing tackle for the 49ers for the last four years while on his rookie contract, to a two-year, $30 million contract, averaging $15 million per year as an unrestricted free agent in March,” Corry wrote. “That’s Moore’s likely role again because 2025 first-round pick Josh Simmons appears to be Kansas City’s long-term solution at left tackle.”
The Chiefs can cut Taylor and save $20 million in 2026 with a post-June 1 designation. They could trade him in the same window for the same savings. Both scenarios would result in $7.4 million in dead money charges.
An early exit from KC could be inevitable for Taylor.
Chiefs Have Other OL Question Marks
Further complicating matters for the Chiefs, Taylor is not their only, or possibly even their biggest, issue. And that is just along the offensive line.
The Chiefs are replacing four-time Super Bowl champion Joe Thuney at left guard. They traded Thuney to the Chicago Bears this offseason. His replacement, Kingsley Suamataia, logged valuable experience last season when the Chiefs moved Thuney to LT out of necessity.
Still, a new season brings new challenges for the 2024 second-round draft pick.
It helps that Suamataia will play alongside All-Pro center Creed Humphrey. Humphrey has another stud in right guard Trey Smith on his other side.
Having Patrick Mahomes at QB also elevates the rest of the group. It did not help cover for Taylor’s woes last season, though. Still, Suamataia may be in a better position to succeed than Taylor. That is despite the disparity in experience and due to his ability to play mistake-free football.
The answer could come for the Suamataia, Taylor, and the Chiefs in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Main Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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