By Quentin Morris
Jawaan Taylors’ deal with the Kansas City Chiefs is a four-year deal worth 80 million with 60 million dollars guaranteed. Taylor has spent his time in the league as a right tackle, but reports continue to come out that the Chiefs expect him to be their starting left tackle moving into the 2023 NFL season. Taylor turns 25 this season and will be 29 when he hits free agency again.
The Chiefs were heading into the offseason with both their right and left tackle hitting the free-agent market. The biggest story heading into the offseason was what Kansas City would do at left tackle. The Chiefs spent all of last offseason working with Orlando Brown Jr. on a long-term deal. He would spend this last season playing on the franchise tag. The general thought was the team was going to tag Brown again. Once Kansas City announced they would not be using the tag it seemed like the Chiefs and Brown were heading in different directions.
Former Jaguars’ OT Jawaan Taylor reached agreement on a four-year, $80 million deal, including $60M gtd, with the KC Chiefs, per sources. Deal negotiated and confirmed by Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey. pic.twitter.com/jm0XYJUtTy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2023
Taylor has been an iron man in his career as he has played every single game since getting into the league in 2019. He has played over 4,300 snaps during that time. Taylor has also been a clean player not causing many penalties. Last season he was charged with only one holding penalty.
The Chiefs do have a history of moving right tackles to the left tackle position. When the Chiefs traded for Brown in 2021 it was seen as a risky move. Brown had not played extended time at the left tackle position, His role was playing right tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. Kansas City moved him over to the left side and it worked. Chiefs fans should not expect him to be elite at left tackle as it will take time for him to adjust to the position. Brown took time to adjust but Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck made it work.
Almost right after the legal tampering period opened up on Monday, Andrew Wylie, the Chiefs’ right tackle signed with the Washington Commanders. The Chiefs still need to make a move for the right tackle position. The Chiefs may look to fill the role during free agency, the draft, or have one of the guys left on the roster. This move gives Brett Veach and the Chiefs options in the draft.
Source: Former #Chiefs RT Andrew Wylie plans to sign a 3-year, $24M deal with the Washington Commanders, reuniting him with OC Eric Bieniemy. Wylie started 59 games in five years for KC and had the game of his life in the Super Bowl against Philadelphia. Now a nice payday.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 13, 2023
If the Chiefs had not found their future left tackle in a trade or free agency Kansas City may have found themselves pigeonholed for the draft. Filling this position gives Veach the freedom to go after the best player available as Kansas City no longer has any blatant need to fill a premium position.
Some right tackles in the draft may fall to them in the draft like tight tackle from Ohio State Dawaand Jones.
