Kansas City, MO – May 15, 2025 – The Kansas City Chiefs secured a cornerstone of their offensive line as right tackle Jawaan Taylor agreed to a pay cut to remain with the team, silencing trade rumors that surfaced after a 40-22 Super Bowl LIX loss. On Thursday, Taylor shared a heartfelt letter with Chiefs Kingdom, reaffirming his commitment to the franchise.
In his letter, Taylor expressed gratitude to general manager Brett Veach for standing by him. “Thank you, Veach, for giving me the chance to prove myself again—I won’t let you down,” Taylor wrote, addressing fans directly. The 27-year-old’s decision to reduce his $24.7 million cap hit to $18 million for 2025 freed up $6.7 million in cap space, bolstering the Chiefs’ roster flexibility.
Taylor’s loyalty echoes his 2024 restructure, which created $5.3 million in cap room, and follows a trend of sacrifices from veterans like JuJu Smith-Schuster. “Jawaan’s a team-first guy,” coach Andy Reid said, praising his dedication. The move ensures continuity for an offensive line tasked with protecting Patrick Mahomes, who threw for 4,803 yards in 2024.
The former Jacksonville Jaguar posted a 68.2 PFF grade last season, allowing four sacks while excelling in pass protection despite 12 penalties. His steady presence on the right side has been vital, especially as rookie Josh Simmons, a 2025 first-round pick, develops. Taylor’s experience outpaces backups like D.J. Humphries and Lucas Niang.
Chiefs Kingdom embraced Taylor’s commitment, with fans flooding social media with support. The pay cut opens doors for Kansas City to pursue targets like edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, complementing a youthful draft class featuring Simmons, Omarr Norman-Lott, and others. GM Veach lauded Taylor’s “grit and heart” as a model for the team.
Taylor’s letter also addressed the Super Bowl loss, vowing to “fight harder” for a 2025 title run. With two draft picks remaining, including No. 226, the Chiefs are eyeing secondary depth, but Taylor’s sacrifice solidifies the offensive front, giving Mahomes the protection needed for another AFC push.
As Kansas City builds on its 9-2 start in 2025, Taylor’s decision signals a unified front. His promise to prove himself resonates with a fanbase hungry for redemption, setting the stage for a dominant Chiefs offense in their quest for Super Bowl LX.
