The Kansas City Chiefs have drawn the line. After a disappointing 2025 season from right tackle Jawaan Taylor, the team has reportedly issued a blunt ultimatum: restructure your $80 million contract or be cut. Once a cornerstone signing in 2023, Taylor is now viewed as a liability the Chiefs can no longer afford to carry.
Taylor has started all 12 games this season but has struggled mightily. He owns a poor 53.3 PFF grade, ranking 72nd out of 80 qualified tackles. Most concerning, he leads all tackles with 13 penalties and has allowed three sacks. Despite his availability, his on-field performance hasn’t matched the expectations of his massive free-agent deal.
Financially, the Chiefs are in trouble. Kansas City is projected to have the lowest effective cap space in the NFL for 2026. Cutting Taylor could save them nearly $20 million. With a $60 million cap deficit looming, releasing the struggling lineman may be one of the team’s quickest ways to regain control of its books.
Adding to Taylor’s woes is the emergence of Jaylon Moore. The swing tackle, signed last offseason to a $15 million/year deal, is waiting in the wings and may be a better fit at right tackle. The Chiefs reportedly believe Moore could not only replace Taylor but upgrade the unit with cleaner, more disciplined play on the edge.
The team has presented Taylor with a restructured deal that would significantly reduce his cap hit and eliminate guarantees. It’s a hard pill to swallow for the former Jaguars lineman, who was once seen as a long-term solution. A league source summed it up bluntly: “It’s either accept less, or pack your bags.”
For a franchise used to winning, tolerance for underperformance is razor thin. With Patrick Mahomes in his prime and the AFC West tightening, the Chiefs are making it clear: production matters. And for Jawaan Taylor, the clock is ticking. His future in Kansas City now hinges on one decision—stay and sacrifice, or walk away.
