RT Jawaan Taylor Addresses Chiefs Deal

Kansas City made additions at both tackle spots in free agency this offseason, including a big-money deal for Jawaan Taylor. The former Jaguar is set for a new chapter in his football career, one which involves a change of scenery he is excited for.

The 25-year-old was one of the top offensive tackles in this year’s free agent class, and his Kanas City contract (four years, $80MM) reflected that. It initially seemed as though Taylor would assume left tackle duties for the Chiefs after they lost Orlando Brown Jr. to the Bengals. Instead, the signing of veteran Donovan Smith to man the blindside will keep Taylor in his familiar RT role, one previously occupied by Andrew Wylie.

“I just wanted to embrace change,” the latter said about his decision to sign with the Chiefs, via ESPN’s Adam Teicher. “I never lived outside of Florida ever in my life. To have the opportunity to come and try something new and be [in] a great organization, I was all for it.”

A Florida alum, Taylor played in Jacksonville for the first four years of his career. He operated as the team’s full-time starter on the right side, and expectations will be high for him given his contract and the demands of playing an important role in Kansas City’s vaunted offense. His enthusiasm to join the Chiefs represents an interesting juxtaposition to his stated desire to remain with the Jaguars, but his play in 2023 will nevertheless be worth watching closely.

After his release ended an eight-year run with the Buccaneers, Smith inked a one-year contract to give him an opportunity to rebuild his value after a disappointing 2022 campaign. Depending on how he fares in his new home, Smith could find himself elsewhere next year, something which could open the door to Taylor making a switch to the blindside. For now, though, he will be subject to plenty of scrutiny on the right side as he looks to prove the Chiefs’ investment in him to be a sound one.