Jawaan Taylor: Everything you need to know

Taylor agreed to terms Wednesday on a one-year contract with Atlanta, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Taylor's deal reportedly carries a base value of $5 million with an additional $1 million in incentives. The veteran offensive lineman projects to step in as the Falcons' new starting RT across from LT Jake Matthews, with Kaleb McGary (leg) having announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday. Taylor has started all 111 of his career regular-season appearances.

The Chiefs released Taylor on Wednesday, Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star reports. The move saves the Chiefs $20 million against the salary cap. Taylor signed a four-year, $80 million deal with Kansas City ahead of the 2023 season, and he started 45 regular-season games for the team. Taylor also started seven playoff contests, helping the Chiefs win the 2023 Super Bowl. Taylor, however, was top-three in penalties at his position in every season he spent with KC.

The Chiefs informed Taylor (elbow) on Monday that he will either be released or traded prior to the start of the new league year March 11, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Taylor remains reliable in pass protection and has one year remaining on his contract, but his release will save Kansas City roughly $20 million in salary cap space. It seems unlikely that the Chiefs manage to trade the 28-year-old right tackle, given the prohibitive nature of the $27 million cap hit his current deal carries for 2026. If he hits the open market, however, Taylor will be projected to join Braden Smith (concussion), Rasheed Walker and Jonah Williams (shoulder) as one of the top available options at tackle. Taylor started all 12 of his regular-season appearances in 2025 before landing on IR due to an elbow injury.