The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly preparing to release offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor if they cannot trade him before the new NFL league year begins. This move is part of the team's effort to get under the salary cap.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Taylor has been informed he will be cut without a trade partner. The 28-year-old lineman has been a durable starter for seven seasons, playing in 111 games.
The release is financially critical for the Chiefs, who are estimated to be over $8.6 million above the 2026 cap. Cutting Taylor would save the team approximately $20 million in cap space.
While Taylor was a multi-year starter, his performance declined last season, ranking 80th among NFL tackles according to Pro Football Focus. He missed time with an elbow injury, which may have affected his play.
If released, Taylor could seek a fresh start. He was remarkably durable earlier in his career, not missing a regular-season game in his first five seasons after being drafted by Jacksonville in 2019.
The Chiefs have until March 11, the start of the new league year, to resolve the situation. Interest in a trade may be limited as teams could wait for him to become a free agent.