Chiefs new $80M tackle among ‘riskiest’ free agent signings

Former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Chief's new $80M tackle named among 'riskiest' free-agent signings

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/22/23

The last time the Kansas City Chiefs took a risk and converted a natural right tackle to left, it worked out perfectly for all involved.

And while K.C. is likely hoping to have the same luck with prized free agent signing Jawaan Taylor, NFL.com’s Kevin Patra believes the $80M gamble is one that has the potential to blow up in Kansas City’s face.

“The Chiefs couldn't agree to terms with Orlando Brown on a long-term contract, so they switched gears and added Taylor on a massive deal that includes $60M guaranteed,” Patra wrote.

“That's a big-money gamble. The more significant risk comes in moving Taylor from right tackle, where he's played his entire pro career, to the blind side. …Yes, the Chiefs had a former RT in Brown move permanently to the left side. But he had started 11 games at LT for Baltimore in 2020 before he joined K.C. Taylor is a good player and has the athleticism to possibly make a solid transition.”

Albert Breer details the Chiefs' current plan for Jawaan Taylor and how it could change depending on the draft: pic.twitter.com/WZ3hCQgb1O
— Jordan Foote (@footenoted) March 14, 2023

Brown Jr. had little experience on the left side before making the full-time switch. During his first two seasons in Baltimore, he logged 1,991 snaps at right tackle before switching to the left side in 2020 when he played 823 snaps at left tackle and 335 at right. He made the switch permanent in 2021 with the Chiefs.

Taylor has only 18 snaps of experience at left tackle — all in 2022 with Jacksonville. Though the 25-year-old lineman has 4,417 NFL snaps as a right tackle, playing on the left side isn’t completely foreign to him.

At the University of Florida, Taylor played one game at left tackle as a freshman in 2016 and started two games at LT as a sophomore in 2017.

During his recent introductory press conference, Taylor told reporters he doesn’t think there’s much difference in the two positions.

“Left tackle, right tackle, it’s just a flip of the hips honestly,” he said. “Other than that, (it’s no big deal) if you’re athletic enough and you trust your feet. You’ve got great coaching as well, which I know that’s here. I feel like the transition will be pretty good.”

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