Patrick Mahomes hoped that the 2025 NFL season could have gone better for him. The Kansas City Chiefs were poor all season, finishing with a 6-11 record in the regular season and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
This has put pressure on the franchise to make some big changes before the new season starts. Head coach Andy Reid has already made some major shake ups in the coaching staff, and now the roster as well.
Chiefs let go of Patrick Mahomes’ teammate Jawaan Taylor
Mahomes had one of his worst seasons in years, with his numbers dropping from the previous seasons. He passed for 3,587 yards and 22 touchdowns while throwing 11 interceptions. He did suffer a serious injury, tearing his ACL and missing three games this season. The quarterback is expected to return for the start of next season.
Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) drops back to pass as offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (74) gets ready to block during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) drops back to pass as offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (74) gets ready to block during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The Chiefs have decided to release right tackle Jawaan Taylor before the 2026 NFL league year starts on March 11, instead of going for a trade later in the year. It was done due to the salary cap constraints the franchise was facing, which wasover the cap by approximately $57-60 million, and will provide significant financial relief.
Taylor had signed a four-year, $80 million contract as a free agent with the Chiefs in 2023. He was going to carry a $27.4 million cap hit for the 2026 season, which was the final year of his deal. Releasing him early means the franchise will save approximately $20 million in cap space while incurring about $7.39 million in dead money.
Other than Taylor, they have released defensive end Mike Danna and restructured Mahomes’ contract as well to make more salary cap space available. Taylor also had an NFL-high 49 penalties in the 45 games he played during the last three seasons, the most by an offensive lineman in that period, which was also a reason behind him being released. Now, the Chiefs will move on to another player to replace him.
Patrick Mahomes to pair up with Jaylon Moore
With Taylor gone, Mahomes will need a new starting right tackle to protect him during snaps. According to ESPN’s Nate Taylor, the Chiefs have already chosen Jaylon Moore to step up in that position. Moore entered free agency in the 2025 NFL offseason, and was signed by the Chiefs, signing a two-year contract worth$30 million.
He played 15 games, primarily as the left tackle in the 2025 NFL season, of which he started 6 of them. Notably, he didn’t have any penalties throughout the season. Moore was drafted in 2021 by the San Francisco 49ers, where he spent four seasons.
Patrick Mahomes and Jaylon Moore will soon be preparing for the 2026 NFL season.