Chiefs plan to release right tackle Jawaan Taylor, per reports

Pete Sweeney, The Kansas City Star on Mar 2, 2026

Published in Football

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs have informed right tackle Jawaan Taylor that he will be released before the start of the new league year on March 11, according to multiple reports.

The expected roster move saves the Chiefs $20 million against the cap while leaving $7 million in dead money.

After his rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars expired following the 2022 season, Taylor signed a four-year, $80 million deal to join the Chiefs and became their starting right tackle.

Taylor’s three-year tenure in Kansas City included 52 starts across the regular season and playoffs. Taylor took over the team’s right tackle spot after the departure of Andrew Wylie.

Last week, the Chiefs began clearing cap space with the release of defensive end Mike Danna. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach was candid in his comments about the potential release of Taylor and linebacker Drue Tranquill.

“These guys started for us, and they’ve played a lot of football for us,” Veach said of Taylor and Tranquill. “I don’t know if we’re six or seven (million) over, but I think we have 60 million in convertible contracts, too.”

With Taylor’s release, the Chiefs are now estimated to have somewhere in the range of $11.5 million to $14.5 million in cap room as they enter the new league year. Tranquill’s release would free up another $6 million.

As the roster stands now, Jaylon Moore would be the projected starter at right tackle, with Esa Pole providing some offseason competition. Of course, Kansas City could add a tackle via free agency or in next month’s NFL draft.

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