Chiefs Sign Jawaan Taylor, Moving On From Orlando Brown
Former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor signed a four-year, $80 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, according to a source. The deal includes $60 million guaranteed. It signals that the Chiefs are moving on from Orlando Brown, who played on the franchise tag in 2022. The 25-year-old Taylor has mostly played right tackle in his four NFL seasons with the Jaguars, but he's expected to move to the left side to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes' blind side in 2023 and beyond. He was the 35th overall pick in 2019 and has been extremely durable so far in his career, having not missed a single start in four years. It's a surprising development that KC is letting Brown, a four-time Pro Bowler, walk in free agency.
Jacksonville Jaguars impending free-agent right tackle Jawaan Taylor could have a massive free-agent market, and some believe he could command up to $17-18 million per year. Pass-protecting right tackles are scarce, which is why the Jaguars are pushing hard to keep him around. Jacksonville already used the franchise tag on tight end Evan Engram, but they want to retain Taylor as well. The 25-year-old has started every game for the Jaguars in the last four years after originally being a second-round selection in the 2019 NFL draft out of the University of Florida.
ESPN's Field Yates expects the Jacksonville Jaguars to re-sign impending free-agent offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor this offseason. Taylor won't be cheap after peaking in 2022. He's been a staple on Jacksonville's offensive line since being drafted in 2019, playing every offensive snap. A deal with a per-year average of $15 million-plus could be on tap for the 25-year-old. The Jaguars' decision to go all-in on quarterback Trevor Lawrence's supporting cast on the offensive line paid major dividends in his second NFL season under head coach Doug Pederson.
The Jacksonville Jaguars traded up with the Raiders and selected Florida offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor with the No. 35 overall pick in the start of the second round of the 2019 NFL draft on Friday. Taylor has first-round talent, so this could be a steal for the Jaguars this early in the second round. He'll help protect new quarterback Nick Foles in his rookie season.
