Chiefs HC is confident in Jawaan Taylor playing LT despite experience
The Kansas City Chiefs made a huge move this offseason, but it was kind of risky when you break it all down. They let Orlando Brown Jr. walk this offseason in free agency because the money couldn't be agreed upon for both sides. That's fine, that happens all the time. That isn't the risky thing […]
The Kansas City Chiefs made a huge move this offseason, but it was kind of risky when you break it all down.
They let Orlando Brown Jr. walk this offseason in free agency because the money couldn't be agreed upon for both sides. That's fine, that happens all the time. That isn't the risky thing the Chiefs did.
To replace him, they went out and got a guy who had never played left tackle before. Jawaan Taylor, the former Jacksonville Jaguars right tackle, signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Chiefs. $60 million is guaranteed of which $40 million is fully guaranteed at signing, per Over the Cap.
That is left tackle money for a guy that has never played the position. It was risky, and it could turn into a problem. But, head coach Andy Reid said during his phase one presser that he wasn't worried and that he loved the move.
"Yeah, I liked him," Reid said on Monday. "I liked his tape. We saw him firsthand a couple of times too. So, even though he was on the right side, I think he could transfer over to the left side. He's really a good athlete and I think he's excited about that and that doesn't mean he can't play the right side. I mean, if we had another left tackle, he can play the right side. So he gives you flexibility right, jump in a guard and he's smart, he can play center. He's, he's a pretty talented kid and, look forward to getting him in here. I think that was a great pick up by Brett [Veach]."
Here is where the issue lies. What if he can't play left tackle? That's fine, move him over to the right side. But then you have a right tackle getting paid as a left tackle, which is two different markets as far as contracts go. Then when it's time to get an actual left tackle, they will have to pay two tackles high money.
Sure, it's not an issue that will make the Chiefs just go completely downhill, and the chance this doesn't work is lower than the chance it does. But still, there are risks. It does feel good to hear Big Red say he likes the move.
