The Kansas City Chiefs are staring down a pivotal offseason - one that could reshape the roster in a big way after missing the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era.
Yes, you read that right. No postseason in 2025.
That’s a sentence we haven’t had to write since Mahomes took over under center, but here we are. And with that kind of disappointment comes some tough decisions - the kind that might not go over well with fans but could be necessary to get this team back on track.
One move that’s gaining traction involves right tackle Jawaan Taylor. After a season riddled with penalties and inconsistency, Taylor’s future in Kansas City looks increasingly uncertain. According to reporting, the Chiefs could save $20 million against the salary cap by releasing the 28-year-old - a number that’s hard to ignore when you're trying to retool a roster around your franchise quarterback.
Taylor’s struggles in 2025 weren’t just about flags, though those were a recurring issue. His performance never quite matched the expectations that came with his contract, and when you’re protecting Patrick Mahomes, there’s no room for error. The Chiefs need reliability on the edge, and Taylor simply didn’t provide that last season.
The good news for Kansas City? They’ve got options.
Jaylon Moore is a name that’s been floated as a potential replacement. He’s already in the building and could shift into Taylor’s spot on the right side.
That would likely push Josh Simmons into the starting left tackle role - a big ask, but not an unreasonable one if the coaching staff believes in his upside.
Still, there’s a question looming: Is this the group you trust to protect Mahomes moving forward? After all, Mahomes was on pace to be sacked a career-high number of times last season - and that was in just 14 games.
The Chiefs’ offensive line, once a strength, became a liability at times in 2025. That’s a red flag for a team built around one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in NFL history.
So, what’s next? Cutting Taylor seems like a logical first step - a move that clears significant cap space and signals a shift toward a younger, more disciplined offensive line.
But don’t be surprised if Kansas City dips into free agency or the draft to add depth and competition up front. Protecting Mahomes has to be priority number one, especially after a season where he spent too much time running for his life.
This offseason is more than just a reset - it’s a response. The Chiefs know the clock is always ticking in the NFL, even with Mahomes under contract.
And if they want to return to championship form, they’ll need to make tough, calculated decisions like this one. Moving on from Jawaan Taylor might not be the flashiest move, but it could be one of the most important as Kansas City looks to turn the page and reclaim its spot atop the AFC.